Magazine for the auto service professional
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48 | April 2016 Tool Review Sonic strut spring compressor Life just got a bit easier By Mike Mavrigian I 've owned many coil spring compressor tools designed for use on MacPherson struts, some of which I like and some that I despise. Sonic Tools USA's model 120001 (made for them by Scangrip Canvic) is now my favorite. If you've never heard of Sonic Tools, take a look at www.sonictoolsusa.com. The company's lineup is very expansive, including hand tools, specialty tools and cabinets. The coil spring compressor tool essentially consists of a main body that houses a screw shaft, along with two built- in jaw bases. The top jaw base is stationary, similar to an anvil on a micrometer. The lower jaw changes distance position as the tool is adjusted, via a large male hex drive at the lower end (this accepts a 1-1/16 in. or 27 mm socket wrench). The tool includes two pairs of hardened and powder coated coil spring jaws (one pair of smaller radius and one pair of larger radius jaws, which should be adequate for about 90% coverage of the strut springs that you're likely to encounter). The jaws attach in a very cool manner. A lip on each jaw inserts into a groove in the jaw base, and is then secured with a socket head cap screw. The jaws lock in place very solidly. The tool is very robust and heavy-duty (the 22 lb. weight gives you a clue as soon as you pick it up). In a nutshell, there are three key features that made me fall in love with this tool: design and construction quality, smooth operation and the design of the jaws. The profle is nice and slim, allowing you to use it on- or off-car. Controllability during spring compression and decom- pression is very smooth and controllable (whether you use a 1/2 in.-drive ratchet or an air wrench). Using an air wrench def- nitely speeds things up as you can imagine. Sonic Tools' Canvik strut spring compressor's basic kit (model 120001) includes two sets of jaw sizes. Coil spring jaws interlock to the strut spring compressor via a tang that seats into a groove and locks into place with socket head cap screws for a very secure installation.