Steel Core 39431 User manual
*Actual product may vary slightly
Please carefully read and save these instructions before attempting to assemble, maintain, install, or operate this product.
Observe all safety information to protect yourself and others. Failure to observe the instructions may result in property
damage and/or personal injury. Please keep instructions for future reference.
For warranty purchases, please keep your dated proof of purchase. File or attach to the manual for safe keeping.
For Customer Service, Call 1-800-348-5004
STRUT SPRING COMPRESSOR
39431
SPECIFICATIONS
SAVE THIS MANUAL
SAFETY WARNINGS
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
In this manual, on the labeling, and all other information provided with this product:
You will need the manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly instructions,
operating and maintenance procedures, parts list and diagram. Keep your invoice with
this manual. Write the invoice number on the inside of the front cover. Keep the manual
and invoice in a safe and dry place for future reference.
1. Tighten and release evenly and slowly. Only use hand tools to tighten/release. Do not
use any air, electric, or impact tools with this tool. Only operate this tool with a 3/4″
socket and ratchet, 3/4″ combination wrench, or other applicable hand tools. Power,
air, or electric tools may compress the spring too quickly, leading to injury.
2. Use provided pins to secure spring in place before use.
3. Set compressed spring in safe area. Be careful when spring is compressed. Do not drop
or jar spring. Doing so might result in the spring forcefully flying free, causing personal
injury or damage.
4. Do not use on springs larger than 7″ diameter.
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal
injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid
possible injury or death.
DANGER indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in
death or serious injury.
WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.
CAUTION, used with the safety alert symbol, indicates a hazardous situation which,
if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE is used to address practices not related to personal injury.
CAUTION, without the safety alert symbol, is used to address practices not related
to personal injury.
Capacity 7″ Coil Spring Diameter
Maximum Opening 8″
Lead Screw Torque 15 ft-lb minimum
Compressor Type MacPherson Struts Only
WARNING Read all safety warnings and instructions. Failure to follow the warnings
and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.
Save all warnings and instructions for future reference.
5. Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles and heavy-duty work gloves during use.
6. Inspect before use; do not use if parts loose or damaged.
7. Observe work area conditions. Keep work area clean and well lit.
8. Use the right tool for the job. Do not attempt to force a small tool or attachment to
do the work of a larger industrial tool. There are certain applications for which this
tool was designed. Do not modify this tool and do not use this tool for a purpose for
which it was not intended.
9. Stay alert. Watch what you are doing, use common sense. Do not operate any tool
when you are tired.
10. Check for damaged parts. Before using any tool, any part that appears damaged
should be carefully checked to determine that it will operate properly and perform
its intended function. Check for alignment and binding of moving parts; any broken
parts or mounting fixtures; and any other condition that may affect proper operation.
Any part that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced by a qualified
technician.
11. Replacement parts and accessories. When servicing, use only identical replacement
parts. Use of any other parts will void the warranty. Only use accessories intended
for use with this tool.
12. Do not operate tool if under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Read warning labels
on prescriptions to determine if your judgment or reflexes are impaired while taking
drugs. If there is any doubt, do not operate the tool.
13. For your safety, maintenance should be performed regularly by a qualified technician.
Have qualified service technician inspect this tool annually.
14. Only use this tool with MacPherson struts. Do not use with high pitched springs.
15. If spring coils do not compress evenly, loosen the adjusting screw, reposition the
strut spring, and retry.
16. Before initial use, apply grease to the Adjustment Bolt. Also, apply grease
periodically during use.
17. When reaching the maximum torque (15 ft-lb) by tightening the Adjustment Bolt,
discontinue, and loosen the screw. Reposition and retry.
18. Support vehicle on jack stands before working on it.
19. Follow instructions and precautions in vehicle’s service manual.
20. The warnings, precautions, and instructions discussed in this instruction manual
cannot cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur. It must be
understood by the operator that common sense and caution are factors which
cannot be built into this product, but must be supplied by the operator.
1. Follow the vehicle service manual’s instructions to remove the MacPherson Strut
from the vehicle.
2. Position the strut into a strut vise.
3. Shut the vise and tighten.
4. Open the Spring Compressor up to 8″. Do not open more than 8″ or a long strut
may slip off of the tool.
5. Make sure the hex nut on top of the Adjustment Bolt (6) is facing up.
6. Before clamping the spring, slip the Safety Ring (19) over the Hooks (5,7) as a
safety precaution should the strut break loose. The Safety Ring (19) will keep the
claws from springing open and causing injury.
1. Insert the Adjustment Bolt (6) with the Hex end up, through the hole in the center
of the Plain Axle (13).
2. Slide the Compression Spacer (20) onto the Adjustment Bolt (6) before continuing
through the center hole on the Threaded Axle (10).
3. Secure Adjustment Bolt (6) with two Nuts (16).
ASSEMBLY
Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning
of this document including all text under subheadings therein before set up or
use of this product.
OPERATION
Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning
of this document including all text under subheadings therein before set up or
use of this product.
Remove MacPherson struts from the vehicle before attempting repairs.
Put the struts in a MacPherson Strut Vise prior to using the Strut Spring
Compressor.
Only use hand tools with the Strut Spring Compressor. Do not use any air,
electric, or impact tools with this tool. Only operate this tool with a 3/4″
socket and ratchet, 3/4″ combination wrench, or other applicable hand tool.
Power, air, or electric tools may compress the spring too rapidly, leading to
injury.
7. Position the top hooks over the strut springs and tighten
the Adjustment Bolt (6) so that the lower hooks will fit
over the spring. See Figure A.
9. Turn the Adjustment Bolt (6) clockwise to compress the strut spring.
ONLY COMPRESS THE SPRING ENOUGH TO REMOVE THE DRIVE NUT.
10. Remove the strut rod nut, mounting plate, and spring seat.
11. Carefully remove the spring with the strut spring compressor still attached.
12. Repair or replace the strut (See service manual).
13. Set the spring over the repaired or new strut and re-install the rod nut, mounting
plate, and spring seat.
14. Loosen the strut spring compressor and remove it.
15. Remove the strut from the strut vise.
WARNING! IF THE SPRING DOESN’T COMPRESS EVENLY, LOOSEN AND
REPOSITION.
WARNING! DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. Do not allow contact between spring
coils or between the arms of the Strut Spring Compressor.
8. Make sure the same number of coils are
between the hooks on each of the spring.
Make sure the hooks are securely fastened
and sit in line with the center axis of the
spring. See Figure B.
Figure A: Lower Hook
Low Hook
Figure B: Hook Location
Center
Axis
8” Max.
MAINTENANCE
1. Grease the Adjustment Bolt (6) threads regularly.
2. An annual Strut Spring Compressor inspection is recommended. Only qualified service
technicians should inspect this tool. If the tool is used extensively, more frequent
inspections are recommended.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR HAS PROVIDED THE PARTS LIST
AND ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM IN THIS DOCUMENT AS A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY.
NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR DISTRIBUTOR MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION
OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND TO THE BUYER THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO
MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE PRODUCT, OR THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO
REPLACE ANY PARTS OF THE PRODUCT. IN FACT, THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR
DISTRIBUTOR EXPRESSLY STATES THAT ALL REPAIRS AND PARTS REPLACEMENTS
SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY CERTIFIED AND LICENSED TECHNICIANS, AND NOT
BY THE BUYER. THE BUYER ASSUMES ALL RISK AND LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF
HIS OR HER REPAIRS TO THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT OR REPLACEMENT PARTS
THERETO, OR ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER INSTALLATION OF REPLACEMENT
PARTS THERETO.
Note: Some parts are listed and shown for illustration purposes only, and are not
available individually as replacement parts.
Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning
of this document including all text under subheadings therein before set up or
use of this product.
PARTS LIST AND ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM
Part Description Qty.
1 Bolt 2
2 Nut 2
3 Retaining Ring 2
4 Hinge Axle 1
5 Hook 1
6 Adjustment Bolt 1
7 Hook 1
8Axle Pin 6
9 Hook 1
Part Description Qty.
10 Threaded Axle 1
11 Hook 1
12 Spring 2
13 Plain Axle 1
14 Nut 2
15 Holding Pin 4
16 Pin Ring 4
17 Safety Ring 1
18 Compression Spacer 1
14
17
18
16
15
Limited Manufacturer Warranty
FOT makes every effort to ensure that this product meets high quality and durability
standards. FOT warrants to the original retail consumer a 1-year limited warranty
from the date the product was purchased at retail and each product is free from
defects in materials. Warranty does not apply to defects due directly or indirectly
to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, repairs or alterations, or a lack of
maintenance. FOT shall in no event be liable for death, injuries to persons or
property, or for incidental, special or consequential damages arising from the
use of our products. To receive service under warranty, the original manufacturer
part must be returned for examination by an authorized service center. Shipping
and handling charges may apply. If a defect is found, FOT will either repair or
replace the product at its discretion.
DO NOT RETURN TO STORE
For Customer Service:
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