Eric, you're probably sick of hearing this, but I gotta say it: you don't have to justify your work to anyone. Your channel is an absolute GEM. You're an honest guy who OWNS a shop, and only you know what's best under each circumstance. I'm always rooting for ya, pal. I just hate to see you get wrapped around the axle (sorry) over people's comments. Everyone's an expert. Sometimes the TH-cam comment section is an absolute hell-pit. Do yo thang, brother. I and many, many others appreciate you greatly.
You probably dont give a damn but does anybody know a method to get back into an instagram account..? I was stupid lost my password. I love any tricks you can offer me.
@Orion Odin Thanks for your reply. I got to the site on google and im in the hacking process atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
I barely have enough skill to change a tire, but it’s always fun to watch the pros do these tough jobs. It’s so educational and it’s always good to know how things are done correctly when you take your car to the shop to get the repairs done! Better off being informed! Thanks for the video. You’re fun to watch and learn.
Eric, Jive here, your biggest Canadian fan. I do all my own work ( and friends) .One look at the cam bolt on the Ridgeline says it all. I see stuff like that all day long in Ottawa. Jive
Just installed 2 Gabriel all in one struts @ $ 120 each. Pretty much lick and stick replacement. Just not me to repair this component. Much respect for your expert mechanic abilities.
Im so glad that Eric O. Recommends the DIYer to just remove the strut assembly and take that entire unit to a machine shop/garage to switch out the strut. When I replaced the front struts in my econo car daily driver, I rented those spring compressor jaws on the long threaded rods from autozone to help me compress the spring. Oh god I almost killed myself. Even with the locking tabs on the unit, the jaws wanted to just keep turning and eventually one set did release on me. Those things are by no way user friendly. I learned from that experience. For the little bit it costs to have a garage swap it out with the proper tools it's well worth it. You still save all the labor costs removing and replacing the strut assembly. Great video and last nights live stream was awesome!!!
Your statement of doing only what the customer asks holds so true! I do air conditioning and I had some people where, just trying to help them, I've done things that even though it didn't cost them anything got them very mad at me all because it was not what they asked!
I will admit I have been that guy. Sometimes, especially if you do most things yourself, you have a reason for not wanting something done. A good example was an HVAC repair oddly. I needed an a-coil and condenser (outside unit) replaced right now but the air handler/ heater was 26 years old. Tech did not notice that everything inside the shell was new because I got a new old stock unit 99% the same the prior year. He did the work but complained the whole time until I pulled off the side panels and showed him...only the case was old.
Another great job and explanation. I just purchased a branick spring compressor at a yard sale for $300.00 almost new. What a tool to have. Thanks again.
I've never seen a guy love his trade as much as you. This is better than hunting deer, right? That job would have taken me a half a day to perform. You make it look far easier than it is.
You make a good point. You can advise the customer but in the end you do what is asked. Beyond that you become a pushy mechanic and no one likes that. The live chat last night was a blast.
Most cars with some miles on them are like a line of dominoes..... Tip the first one and hold on. In a perfect world where money was no object, they'd all get rebuilt restored. It's always a judgement call as to where to stop.
Especially cars in places that rust.I had a corolla swaybar bushing job turn into a subframe job because rust spares noone. It's usually not even worthwhile spending money on rust state cars just do the bare minimum to pass inspection, and save up to move out of a frozen shithole. I'm working on the latter now.
good point Eric'O, you cant just replace everything like some of us DIY do, gotta walk that fine line with the customers budget, if it is a major issue ring ring first before just doing what might be perceived as extras.. I always appreciate a in person conversation or call or note explaining the deal and help me save money in future by doing it now etc. crap some of those cars your working on there are rusty crusty almost be write off in Australia due to RUST, shocks me everytime i see it on 10-12 year old cars there through the tube into NY USA Crust belt.
Front right spring busted on my 05 Odyssey. Couldn't compress it enough with the "death trap threaded rod" tools. Them 'Hondoo' front springs are tough boogers! Thanks Dr. O!
As a paramedic I picked up a person who took a coil spring to the forehead. I got to hold pressure to keep the blood from squirting all over the place. It was a life changing accident for him.
Yeah, thats important as well. I Assisted a Doc last week dig a piece of metal out of a guys cornea. It involved taking a needle and scraping the cornea multiple times to remove the particle. Cornea scrapes off like scraping ice off a car window. Bet that guy learned a lesson
I remember back years ago when garage door extension springs wouldn't have the safety cable running through them and when the wheel cable would break it could kill a guy. Dealing with any large spring under high pressure is a very dangerous situation.
Cooil springs can dangerous. When I was a teenager I learned a lesson I've never forgotten. I was working after school in a local garage and the shop "expert" was replacing front coil springs on a mid 60's Caddy and one if the older guys dragged me away from the car cause the guy wasn't being to careful. When he lowered the control arm the spring escaped into his knee. I'd never seen a grown man cry and scream before, it made a big impression. I've never replaced a coil spring without putting a chain around it to the chassis in till it had no tension, a few tried to get away but I never got hurt. I know a million guys will say they work unsafe and have never gotten hurt but lets hear from some that have. That poor guy never worked as a mechanic again
When I was a young man . one of my mechanic friends told me one day that a guy at the shop across the street from him had a coil escape his compressor and it hit him in the jaw so hard it stopped his heart ..paramedic did get him fired back up
I was just about to do the same thing on my '78 Cutlass back in the mid 90's, and my dad came out and said, " Do you like all your teeth?" LOL - wasn't thinking! Didn't even have a jack under the lower control arm! That was a big AAH-HA moment for me. Got to do many, many more of those jobs over the years. That first time took me a week! No power tools - all by hand, even chiseling and pounding the rivets out of the ball joints, and pounding the control arm bushings out.
I had a 1990 Mazda 323 sedan (Protege) and when it was ten years old, left rear spring snapped when it was compressed while I was driving bumpy road. The broken spring hit the upper strut plate so hard I could feel the vibration in the driver's seat and heard the loud metallic, long echoing "singing" sound it made. Spring broke from the top end. Brought the car to the shop and both springs and shock absorbers were replaced (McPherson struts). We have winter and plenty of road salt here in Finland so rust is too familiar thing for me too :P
Thanks for a great video, you make it look so easy and you`re a great teacher for us Backyard wrench-turners . You have saved me hundreds of dollars in expensive shop time.Keep up the good work Eric!!!!
The spring compressor featured in this video is clearly superior to all other alternatives but for what it is worth, I rebuilt the struts on our Honda and Volvo using one of the Autozone spring compressor loan tools and they worked flawlessly. I read the instructions, took my time, was careful and I never felt I was in any sort of danger.
Quick tip, use the portable impact gun on the top strut nut, you usually don't need the allen key, zap it. and the nut will come right off! Works for me. Greetings from Austria!
You do not live where rust is a serious issue, do you? Would love to encounter a more than 10 year old strut I could zip the nut off without a counter hold.
Hi Neat, realistic and informative video. Thank you! I am always amazed at the amount of corrosion you have to deal with. I am just a home mechanic, lived in California since the early 1960's. I have cars and trucks made in 1952, 1956, another 1956 and 1986. All of these vehicles have zero rust and corrosion, I just have to keep up with normal wear. What a contrast!
G'day, Mr. O! Amen! The live chat last night was a blast. Thank you very much for Honda Ridgeline: Broken Rear Spring Replacement! Awesome job! Cheers! :D
That spring compressor looks so much safer than the devices that most of us dance around in home garages. Did you say that wrench was made by 'Top Tool'? I didn't catch the name.
For either the shock or link (with nylon lock nuts) wind it in, with use of a vise grip, when apart. When fitting it back, a couple of drops of locktite makes things easier. Great vid as always.
These era Ridgelines are tanks. Absolute bulletproof, amazing vehicles in snow/ice. I had a very early model 2006, was one of the first let out for public sale. Put 206k miles on it and I regret selling it to this day.
Just a suggestion to all the DIY'ers out there. It may be cost effective to buy the "quick struts" that have the coil spring and strut pre assembled. It may end up being cheaper than taking it somewhere to get swapped out.
Depends on how many you’ll do. The cost of your typical Brannick off of Amazon equals the difference between spring and full strut & spring assembly over 5 or 6 front or rear swaps. Kind of a cool tool to have even if you only use it a dozen times doing your family, friends, and neighbors a solid.
Just a little suggestion for those that don't know any better. The quick starts are garbage. You'll get much better ride and handling buying the OEM struts and changing out the spring and hardware. It's a pain, but do the job right the first time. I've done the job both ways and know how much easier it is to use the quick struts. Took me 8 hours to do just the front pair on my car when I swapped out the springs. It was a learning experience for sure.
When I did my struts on my 88 Corolla, I changed out the cartridges. Some have told me to just get a complete strut assembly. It worked for me. Sort of a pain by myself though. Had AutoZone change them.
To hold the sway bar link on my Hondoos, I took a old Craftsman wrench, and ground it thinner so that it will fit right in there. Makes it super simple when I change my suspension from the stock stuff, to my performance suspension setup I run in the summer.
I used the cheap spring compressor back in the day, then upgraded a bit and then upgraded again. They're all dangerous. When they started selling the spring and strut all put together that was the route for me. Have had more than one mishap and feel pretty lucky I'm still here to talk about it. That's my two cents. Thanks for Sharing!
Eric is a True Master Mechanic. Yet he knows that he is hired to do certain work, and it is not up to him to do more. Of course a wise customer values Eric's professional advice, and takes it within the constraints of their personal finances.
If u want my advice, on the stabilizer bar link and the top stut nut. I run a die over the threads, first in the traditional direction and then flip the die upside down. Some oil, and the nuts come right off.
Possibly a topic for a future video: Eric, have you ever turned down a job because the customer won't let you do "what's needed for safety sake"? I understand the we can do the repair and leave out some things, but there's a fine line of safety/liability/good conscious all for making a few bucks.
I had a 70 ford fairlane. I broke one of the leaf springs and both motor mounts when I used it to go 4 wheeling. I found a fairlane station wagon on the side of the road. I took the leaf springs out of it and put them in my fairlane. That's when I found out that station wagon springs are heavier, so the car was now higher in the rear. No problem I liked it, looked more like a race car. I put in new motor mounts also.
Branick 7400 (or close to it) spring compressor for the win! Also, I think you just wanted to see how many would tell you to use a gearwrench on that top nut lol.
Agreed. You can't just replace everything you take off, that's why it's called a repair. When I'm repairing my own stuff, I can make the call to replace something while I'm I there. I'm on my second career now and there's a lot of commonality between the two. One of those commonalities is that people think they are just paying you to do the work, which doesn't have any perceived value. When in fact, they are paying you for your expertise and knowledge which is far more valuable. Knowing when something can be saved and when it has to be replaced is a part of that expertise. Knowing when something should be replaced while you are 'this far in' is a part of that expertise. It pisses me off when I drive a half hour and pull off a miracle and save some guy or gal thousands of dollars and they get pissy about the hendreds it just cost.
fancy spring compressor, with the cheap threaded rod ones I put the strut in a vice horizontal and make sure its aimed away from myself, everything and anyone. that way if/when it lets go it shoots horizontal, doesn't go real far and half of it stays put! long ago I had one break and launch hard, sticking parts into the ceiling. I wasn't in the garage when it let go luckily :)
I used to rent a spring compressor and every time it cost over 20 bucks. Then I saw that Harbor Freight sells them for under 20 bucks. But now I can buy the whole strut with the spring for little more than the shock. And I don't have to order the spring and rubber pads from the dealer. Saves lots of time and money. I haven't found any source for aftermarket springs for the Prius.
Another great video never saw so many hammers in his videos. But as he has said before every tool has a hammer side. Even a hammer. After his mention of Top Tools with over a 100 thousand viewers eb** was pretty busy for a while.
Is that a common occurrence of having those springs break? Great Video! I read in Motor Magazine FYI November 2018 that MAHLE Service Solutions recently announced that it will be working with auto repair experts Eric "TheCarGuy" Cook and Charles Sanville, better known as "The Humble Mechanic," to serve as new brand ambassadors for the division. Cook and Sanville were formally introduced to the industry at AAPEX 2018. Throughout the year, the pair will represent the division's shop equipment to the automotive aftermarket. They should have had you in there!
I usually wire wheel the stud clean then I can use and impact and buzz the nut right off while having a little bit of tension on that shock mount via the spring
I agree 100% about doin only what the customers want. Money is hard to come by (always has) and folks just want their cars running.sometimes you have a dream customer who says do everything what you feel needs to be done.good job as always E.O Not that you need it but in our shop we use a chain to secure the spring to the spring compressor .a bit of overkill but we had one let go (not me) and it was exciting to say the least. Stay healthy and never age.
I just changed the shocks on my F150 and the front strut deal with one of those 'death trap' threaded rod spring compressors and yes, it was like a "Jack in the box" deal... It was barely enough to compress the spring and I thought the thing would "POP" at anytime... Never again! I'll remove the strut, but take it in to a shop to swap out the shock next time!
Used the a cheap set of threaded death trap spring compressors years ago until one snapped on me, went off like a shotgun. Thought I survived without a scratch other than a big old dent in the truck door but noticed a 6" gash down my inner arm. Got lucky but will never use one again
Eric why is it better to make sure the car is on the ground when you tighten everything, I didn't think it would make a big difference, is it just to make sure everything is aligned?
Good advice on letting a shop handle swapping the strut ! What do you charge for that service ? PS Want to see some giant springs on struts ? Check out a Expedition/Navigator. Those springs are HUGE !!
In 40 years+ of working on cars I never knew a coil spring could be purchased singly. I have changed one spring but always got a used one from the junkyard so the ride height would be even.
I really appreciate you posting this VIDEO, very useful. I have 2018 Hondew Ridgeline and believe it or not it has a leaked out rear shock same as in your video side. Made in Mexico is what the label says on the shock strut what ever you call it. So I might have the dealer get me the strut and I'll do the damn job myself. Thank you! I wont be able to see your reply unless you directly message me.
great job like always bud but ya want to see crusty rusty parts you need to come to northern CANADA i bet your rates would be higher here lol again thanks for all the learning experience
Love watching your videos, keep ‘em coming! I do wish you would use safety glasses when using power tools though, gotta keep them eyes safe, you only get the one pair! ✌🏻
unrelated question Eric, do they make a hose clamp tool for those pia gm hose clamps that you just squeeze the tabs together to release the pressure? Not the screw type hose clamps. I would pay good money for a proper tool instead of trying to use long nose, pliers or anything else.
J Cirafic There are tools for that, I bought mine from NAPA, they are called hose clamp pliers, really good for getting on clamps that are in hard to reach places since they can be locked onto the clamp.
Do you happen to have the 1st gen ridgeline torque specification for the inner tie rod (the portion of the inner tie rod that is under the bellows boot?)
Perfect Video to talk about INSPECTION! What does the INSPECTOR's Look for . when they do the Safety work for the Vehicle At HAND????? Feb 16th, 2019 . Hope you Get more SUBScribers!!! you are worthy of having a Bigger fan Base . As i never owned tools for vehicles , but now im packing a TEST Light. and from your guidance .. i solved several vehicles issues with the test light. Thanks and keep them coming. TEST Light Videos!!!
I remember back in 1973 when I went to automotive school, the instructor told us that a mechanic was removing a spring and the tool slipped and the spring embedded in the guys head more than two inches. He said it was an awful site.
You did not make a mistake a forget to clean the treads Eric, You made an on purpose. You did that to teach us to pay attention and remember to do every thing we need to do. You did not fool me! LOL!!
Eric, you're probably sick of hearing this, but I gotta say it: you don't have to justify your work to anyone. Your channel is an absolute GEM. You're an honest guy who OWNS a shop, and only you know what's best under each circumstance. I'm always rooting for ya, pal. I just hate to see you get wrapped around the axle (sorry) over people's comments. Everyone's an expert. Sometimes the TH-cam comment section is an absolute hell-pit. Do yo thang, brother. I and many, many others appreciate you greatly.
You probably dont give a damn but does anybody know a method to get back into an instagram account..?
I was stupid lost my password. I love any tricks you can offer me.
@Bjorn Wilder instablaster :)
@Orion Odin Thanks for your reply. I got to the site on google and im in the hacking process atm.
Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Orion Odin It worked and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy!
Thank you so much, you saved my ass !
@Bjorn Wilder No problem :D
Eric, You make a very good point about what parts to out on the customer's vehicle. Only what they what put on
For those that are wondering I believe the company that makes the wrench is TopTul, not toptool which appears to be something completely different.
Man I appreciate ya! I’ve been looking all over eBay for toptool or top tool! Thanks!
I barely have enough skill to change a tire, but it’s always fun to watch the pros do these tough jobs. It’s so educational and it’s always good to know how things are done correctly when you take your car to the shop to get the repairs done! Better off being informed! Thanks for the video. You’re fun to watch and learn.
Eric, Jive here, your biggest Canadian fan. I do all my own work ( and friends) .One look at the cam bolt on the Ridgeline says it all. I see stuff like that all day long in Ottawa. Jive
Just installed 2 Gabriel all in one struts @ $ 120 each. Pretty much lick and stick replacement. Just not me to repair this component. Much respect for your expert mechanic abilities.
Im so glad that Eric O. Recommends the DIYer to just remove the strut assembly and take that entire unit to a machine shop/garage to switch out the strut. When I replaced the front struts in my econo car daily driver, I rented those spring compressor jaws on the long threaded rods from autozone to help me compress the spring. Oh god I almost killed myself. Even with the locking tabs on the unit, the jaws wanted to just keep turning and eventually one set did release on me. Those things are by no way user friendly. I learned from that experience. For the little bit it costs to have a garage swap it out with the proper tools it's well worth it. You still save all the labor costs removing and replacing the strut assembly. Great video and last nights live stream was awesome!!!
I don't know why I watch these videos when I've fitted plenty of springs! Always good to see how other people tackle a job.
Ashley Burton Im the same way lol I watch for the tools
I watch for the color commentary haha
Eric always amuses me!
I guess it is like watching porn LOL!
Ashley Burton I watch because...... I don’t know why I watch. I don’t have a ridgeline. I guess I enjoy it.
Your statement of doing only what the customer asks holds so true! I do air conditioning and I had some people where, just trying to help them, I've done things that even though it didn't cost them anything got them very mad at me all because it was not what they asked!
I will admit I have been that guy. Sometimes, especially if you do most things yourself, you have a reason for not wanting something done.
A good example was an HVAC repair oddly. I needed an a-coil and condenser (outside unit) replaced right now but the air handler/ heater was 26 years old. Tech did not notice that everything inside the shell was new because I got a new old stock unit 99% the same the prior year. He did the work but complained the whole time until I pulled off the side panels and showed him...only the case was old.
Another great job and explanation. I just purchased a branick spring compressor at a yard sale for $300.00 almost new. What a tool to have. Thanks again.
"It would be quick!".....Eric O's honesty hour, I like it!
i love these suspension videos. little talking, lots of action.
I've never seen a guy love his trade as much as you. This is better than hunting deer, right? That job would have taken me a half a day to perform. You make it look far easier than it is.
Thanks for sacrificing your personal time for us
I have a nice scar to remind me of a spring compression failure back when I was a teenager. Good advice from Mr O if you're working with springs.
You make a good point. You can advise the customer but in the end you do what is asked. Beyond that you become a pushy mechanic and no one likes that. The live chat last night was a blast.
Most cars with some miles on them are like a line of dominoes..... Tip the first one and hold on. In a perfect world where money was no object, they'd all get rebuilt restored. It's always a judgement call as to where to stop.
Especially cars in places that rust.I had a corolla swaybar bushing job turn into a subframe job because rust spares noone. It's usually not even worthwhile spending money on rust state cars just do the bare minimum to pass inspection, and save up to move out of a frozen shithole. I'm working on the latter now.
good point Eric'O, you cant just replace everything like some of us DIY do, gotta walk that fine line with the customers budget, if it is a major issue ring ring first before just doing what might be perceived as extras..
I always appreciate a in person conversation or call or note explaining the deal and help me save money in future by doing it now etc.
crap some of those cars your working on there are rusty crusty almost be write off in Australia due to RUST, shocks me everytime i see it on 10-12 year old cars there through the tube into NY USA Crust belt.
Nothing like Captain O's running commentary in the morning, Moog links have flats on them. I in. agreement about Toptul top drawer tools
boom another video, excellent Friday morning start, well for here in the UK
Front right spring busted on my 05 Odyssey. Couldn't compress it enough with the "death trap threaded rod" tools. Them 'Hondoo' front springs are tough boogers! Thanks Dr. O!
As a paramedic I picked up a person who took a coil spring to the forehead. I got to hold pressure to keep the blood from squirting all over the place. It was a life changing accident for him.
Eye protection might be a good idea too.
Yeah, thats important as well. I Assisted a Doc last week dig a piece of metal out of a guys cornea. It involved taking a needle and scraping the cornea multiple times to remove the particle. Cornea scrapes off like scraping ice off a car window. Bet that guy learned a lesson
@@tomd5010 More like needing to wear a full face motorcycle helmet instead.
I remember back years ago when garage door extension springs wouldn't have the safety cable running through them and when the wheel cable would break it could kill a guy. Dealing with any large spring under high pressure is a very dangerous situation.
Cooil springs can dangerous. When I was a teenager I learned a lesson I've never forgotten. I was working after school in a local garage and the shop "expert" was replacing front coil springs on a mid 60's Caddy and one if the older guys dragged me away from the car cause the guy wasn't being to careful. When he lowered the control arm the spring escaped into his knee. I'd never seen a grown man cry and scream before, it made a big impression. I've never replaced a coil spring without putting a chain around it to the chassis in till it had no tension, a few tried to get away but I never got hurt. I know a million guys will say they work unsafe and have never gotten hurt but lets hear from some that have. That poor guy never worked as a mechanic again
When I was a young man . one of my mechanic friends told me one day that a guy at the shop across the street from him had a coil escape his compressor and it hit him in the jaw so hard it stopped his heart ..paramedic did get him fired back up
I was just about to do the same thing on my '78 Cutlass back in the mid 90's, and my dad came out and said, " Do you like all your teeth?" LOL - wasn't thinking! Didn't even have a jack under the lower control arm! That was a big AAH-HA moment for me. Got to do many, many more of those jobs over the years. That first time took me a week! No power tools - all by hand, even chiseling and pounding the rivets out of the ball joints, and pounding the control arm bushings out.
I had a 1990 Mazda 323 sedan (Protege) and when it was ten years old, left rear spring snapped when it was compressed while I was driving bumpy road. The broken spring hit the upper strut plate so hard I could feel the vibration in the driver's seat and heard the loud metallic, long echoing "singing" sound it made. Spring broke from the top end. Brought the car to the shop and both springs and shock absorbers were replaced (McPherson struts).
We have winter and plenty of road salt here in Finland so rust is too familiar thing for me too :P
Thanks for a great video, you make it look so easy and you`re a great teacher for us Backyard wrench-turners . You have saved me hundreds of dollars in expensive shop time.Keep up the good work Eric!!!!
The spring compressor featured in this video is clearly superior to all other alternatives but for what it is worth, I rebuilt the struts on our Honda and Volvo using one of the Autozone spring compressor loan tools and they worked flawlessly. I read the instructions, took my time, was careful and I never felt I was in any sort of danger.
Quick tip, use the portable impact gun on the top strut nut, you usually don't need the allen key, zap it. and the nut will come right off! Works for me. Greetings from Austria!
You do not live where rust is a serious issue, do you? Would love to encounter a more than 10 year old strut I could zip the nut off without a counter hold.
Hi Neat, realistic and informative video. Thank you! I am always amazed at the amount of corrosion you have to deal with. I am just a home mechanic, lived in California since the early 1960's. I have cars and trucks made in 1952, 1956, another 1956 and 1986. All of these vehicles have zero rust and corrosion, I just have to keep up with normal wear. What a contrast!
G'day, Mr. O! Amen! The live chat last night was a blast. Thank you very much for Honda Ridgeline: Broken Rear Spring Replacement! Awesome job!
Cheers! :D
Great job Eric as always and thanks for sharing your time with us.
Friday happiness! Coffee and SMA
I have a ten-stitch scar in my left eyebrow from one of those death trap threaded rod deals. I got off easy. Great video.
Eric you gotta get some gearwrenches! Best invention for mechanics in the past 20 years!
That spring compressor looks so much safer than the devices that most of us dance around in home garages. Did you say that wrench was made by 'Top Tool'? I didn't catch the name.
Yep TopTul
TOPTUL®
For either the shock or link (with nylon lock nuts) wind it in, with use of a vise grip, when apart. When fitting it back, a couple of drops of locktite makes things easier. Great vid as always.
These era Ridgelines are tanks. Absolute bulletproof, amazing vehicles in snow/ice.
I had a very early model 2006, was one of the first let out for public sale. Put 206k miles on it and I regret selling it to this day.
I am loving the spring compressor
Would you let me play with it if I get my struts ordered? :p
Code for i'm going to get one and lie to the Mrs about how much it cost Leon? haha
zoidberg444 sssshhhhhhh I wasn't here who was here not me
bodgit and leggit garage how did you get verified at 18k??? I thought it was around 100k.
Until it about takes your arm off. The branick is a false sense of security.
GearWrench: I think G.W. makes a Pass Through wrench and socket set that would be better for getting the strut nut off and on.
Just a suggestion to all the DIY'ers out there. It may be cost effective to buy the "quick struts" that have the coil spring and strut pre assembled. It may end up being cheaper than taking it somewhere to get swapped out.
And time saving!
Depends on how many you’ll do. The cost of your typical Brannick off of Amazon equals the difference between spring and full strut & spring assembly over 5 or 6 front or rear swaps. Kind of a cool tool to have even if you only use it a dozen times doing your family, friends, and neighbors a solid.
Just a little suggestion for those that don't know any better. The quick starts are garbage. You'll get much better ride and handling buying the OEM struts and changing out the spring and hardware. It's a pain, but do the job right the first time. I've done the job both ways and know how much easier it is to use the quick struts. Took me 8 hours to do just the front pair on my car when I swapped out the springs. It was a learning experience for sure.
I used the cheap spring compressors and survived.😆
If you buy the quick install, make sure the thickness of the spring is per spec. Some of the cheaper ones have a thinner spring.
When I did my struts on my 88 Corolla, I changed out the cartridges. Some have told me to just get a complete strut assembly. It worked for me. Sort of a pain by myself though. Had AutoZone change them.
To hold the sway bar link on my Hondoos, I took a old Craftsman wrench, and ground it thinner so that it will fit right in there. Makes it super simple when I change my suspension from the stock stuff, to my performance suspension setup I run in the summer.
I only buy the moog or other brands that do not use the Allen key only uses wrenches to remove
Great video dude. It took me a while to get comfortable with messing with those springs.
Love waking up to a new vid from Eric oooooo!!
I used the cheap spring compressor back in the day, then upgraded a bit and then upgraded again. They're all dangerous. When they started selling the spring and strut all put together that was the route for me. Have had more than one mishap and feel pretty lucky I'm still here to talk about it. That's my two cents. Thanks for Sharing!
Wish we had more mechanics like you...if you were closer, you'll b my main mechanic...nobody else would touch my car..
Absolutely love the channel! I enjoy the troubleshooting, especially the electrical! Great job
Eric is a True Master Mechanic. Yet he knows that he is hired to do certain work, and it is not up to him to do more. Of course a wise customer values Eric's professional advice, and takes it within the constraints of their personal finances.
If u want my advice, on the stabilizer bar link and the top stut nut. I run a die over the threads, first in the traditional direction and then flip the die upside down. Some oil, and the nuts come right off.
Possibly a topic for a future video: Eric, have you ever turned down a job because the customer won't let you do "what's needed for safety sake"? I understand the we can do the repair and leave out some things, but there's a fine line of safety/liability/good conscious all for making a few bucks.
I had a 70 ford fairlane. I broke one of the leaf springs and both motor mounts when I used it to go 4 wheeling. I found a fairlane station wagon on the side of the road. I took the leaf springs out of it and put them in my fairlane. That's when I found out that station wagon springs are heavier, so the car was now higher in the rear. No problem I liked it, looked more like a race car. I put in new motor mounts also.
Smashing job, you can't beat good tools, well worth every penny you put into them :-)
Branick 7400 (or close to it) spring compressor for the win! Also, I think you just wanted to see how many would tell you to use a gearwrench on that top nut lol.
Thanks for posting this! Very helpful as I'm taking this on soon!
Eric, can you give us a close-up of the wrench you were using on the strut compressor? I looked for them but didn't find any. Thanks
James Zivny same here. I looked all over amazon, ebay and Google. No luck
James Zivny www.toptul.com/en/2-2179/manufacturer/Angled-Socket-Wrench-id58094.html
Copy and paste this: www.aabtools.com/p/expert/E117383/angled-socket-wrench-set-10-pcs-8-19mm The key search-word is 'Pass-through'.
www.toptul.com/s/2/product-325459/Angled-Socket-Wrench.html
Thank you everyone, I was searching "Top Tool", looks like one of those wrenches that would be a lifesaver occasionally
Waiting for the shop to open, watching this, good way to start the day
Agreed. You can't just replace everything you take off, that's why it's called a repair. When I'm repairing my own stuff, I can make the call to replace something while I'm I there. I'm on my second career now and there's a lot of commonality between the two. One of those commonalities is that people think they are just paying you to do the work, which doesn't have any perceived value. When in fact, they are paying you for your expertise and knowledge which is far more valuable. Knowing when something can be saved and when it has to be replaced is a part of that expertise. Knowing when something should be replaced while you are 'this far in' is a part of that expertise. It pisses me off when I drive a half hour and pull off a miracle and save some guy or gal thousands of dollars and they get pissy about the hendreds it just cost.
I just picked up the "Grip Thin Wrench" metric set on Amazon specifically for holding those flats. Only $25 or so.
fancy spring compressor, with the cheap threaded rod ones I put the strut in a vice horizontal and make sure its aimed away from myself, everything and anyone. that way if/when it lets go it shoots horizontal, doesn't go real far and half of it stays put! long ago I had one break and launch hard, sticking parts into the ceiling. I wasn't in the garage when it let go luckily :)
I used to rent a spring compressor and every time it cost over 20 bucks. Then I saw that Harbor Freight sells them for under 20 bucks. But now I can buy the whole strut with the spring for little more than the shock. And I don't have to order the spring and rubber pads from the dealer. Saves lots of time and money. I haven't found any source for aftermarket springs for the Prius.
Another great video never saw so many hammers in his videos. But as he has said before every tool has a hammer side. Even a hammer. After his mention of Top Tools with over a 100 thousand viewers eb** was pretty busy for a while.
Hello Eric, This is Peter from california .Thank you
Why did he use the jack before tightening the bolts? Thank you for a great video.
So all the holes and bolts are tightened at the right place when the car is being driven.
Great job Eric. Thanks for the video
Is that a common occurrence of having those springs break? Great Video! I read in Motor Magazine FYI November 2018 that MAHLE Service Solutions recently announced that it will be working with auto repair experts Eric "TheCarGuy" Cook and Charles Sanville, better known as "The Humble Mechanic," to serve as new brand ambassadors for the division. Cook and Sanville were formally introduced to the industry at AAPEX 2018. Throughout the year, the pair will represent the division's shop equipment to the automotive aftermarket. They should have had you in there!
Eric- if you can find a local knifesmith- those springs make awesome little skinners for deerhunters like your self.. thom
I usually wire wheel the stud clean then I can use and impact and buzz the nut right off while having a little bit of tension on that shock mount via the spring
I agree 100% about doin only what the customers want. Money is hard to come by (always has) and folks just want their cars running.sometimes you have a dream customer who says do everything what you feel needs to be done.good job as always E.O
Not that you need it but in our shop we use a chain to secure the spring to the spring compressor .a bit of overkill but we had one let go (not me) and it was exciting to say the least. Stay healthy and never age.
Eric, will the hammerhead impact from Ingersoll-Rand fit under that space to be able to remove the nut from the strut?
My Ridgeline just hit 200,000 miles. And about to do new shocks and struts should I also replcae the springs . What's the life of and average spring
Austin Huckabee Honda sells a complete OEM strut/spring assembled, ready to install.
I just changed the shocks on my F150 and the front strut deal with one of those 'death trap' threaded rod spring compressors and yes, it was like a "Jack in the box" deal... It was barely enough to compress the spring and I thought the thing would "POP" at anytime... Never again! I'll remove the strut, but take it in to a shop to swap out the shock next time!
Youre an awesome mechanic!!!
For Christmas, you should ask Mrs. O for a quieter compressor that makes good air.
I told him to buy a slow speed Champion four cylinder but he went out and got an Ingersoll-Rand noise box. Guy just will not listen to good advice.
Them killer coil spring clamps you say are what you say, I have have a set used once...they are back in the box past 20 years..!
Used the a cheap set of threaded death trap spring compressors years ago until one snapped on me, went off like a shotgun. Thought I survived without a scratch other than a big old dent in the truck door but noticed a 6" gash down my inner arm. Got lucky but will never use one again
Eric why is it better to make sure the car is on the ground when you tighten everything, I didn't think it would make a big difference, is it just to make sure everything is aligned?
Takes up the slop in the bolt holes... so it has nowhere to go, less likely to loosen up. Great idea.
Good advice on letting a shop handle swapping the strut ! What do you charge for that service ?
PS Want to see some giant springs on struts ? Check out a Expedition/Navigator. Those springs are HUGE !!
$35 each if you bring me the struts
In 40 years+ of working on cars I never knew a coil spring could be purchased singly. I have changed one spring but always got a used one from the junkyard so the ride height would be even.
I really appreciate you posting this VIDEO, very useful. I have 2018 Hondew Ridgeline and believe it or not it has a leaked out rear shock same as in your video side. Made in Mexico is what the label says on the shock strut what ever you call it. So I might have the dealer get me the strut and I'll do the damn job myself. Thank you! I wont be able to see your reply unless you directly message me.
Which brand of disposable gloves do you use?
great job like always bud but ya want to see crusty rusty parts you need to come to northern CANADA i bet your rates would be higher here lol again thanks for all the learning experience
Could you provide a link to ebay for that socket wrench by top tools. Thanks
www.toptul.com/s/2/product-325459/Angled-Socket-Wrench.html
I use the knippex cobras to hold studs like on that sway bar link. They have some strong teeth - in one direction anyway. And pretty narrow
Love watching your videos, keep ‘em coming! I do wish you would use safety glasses when using power tools though, gotta keep them eyes safe, you only get the one pair! ✌🏻
unrelated question Eric, do they make a hose clamp tool for those pia gm hose clamps that you just squeeze the tabs together to release the pressure? Not the screw type hose clamps. I would pay good money for a proper tool instead of trying to use long nose, pliers or anything else.
J Cirafic There are tools for that, I bought mine from NAPA, they are called hose clamp pliers, really good for getting on clamps that are in hard to reach places since they can be locked onto the clamp.
J Cirafic don't know if my last comment showed up. Go to NAPA or any other local parts store and ask for hose clamp pliers.
That's exactly what I need, thank you RR
2 broken springs? Honda quality right there...
This truck is made in the USA not in Japan
I keep seeing that nice flashlight on your videos. Do you have the name and/or a link to purchase it.Good video. Thanks
Here it is Astro Pneumatic Tool 65SL 650 Lumen Rechargeable LED Slim Light W/Top Flashlight
Astro Pneumatic Tool 65SL 650 Lumen Rechargeable LED Slim Light W/Top Flashlight
Do you happen to have the 1st gen ridgeline torque specification for the inner tie rod (the portion of the inner tie rod that is under the bellows boot?)
Wouldn't you wanna ideally tighten the sway bar links when its on the ground too? But hey, what do I know?
+dwoodog they are a swivel socket so it does not matter on them
La prensa para aplastar el resorte esta precisa, donde venden esa prensa?
Perfect Video to talk about INSPECTION!
What does the INSPECTOR's Look for . when they do the Safety work for the Vehicle At HAND?????
Feb 16th, 2019 .
Hope you Get more SUBScribers!!! you are worthy of having a Bigger fan Base . As i never owned tools for vehicles , but now im packing a TEST Light. and from your guidance .. i solved several vehicles issues with the test light. Thanks and keep them coming. TEST Light Videos!!!
How do you get a stuck bolt out of the compliance bushing on the lower control arm of 2009 Honda Civic ?
I would replace the entire shock assembly as a unit. Whats your recommendation here, Honda, KYB or Monroe?
Eric - would thin tappet wrenches fit on the sway bar links?
Can you please do a video on a scanner for DYI folks
I have used the theaded rod type many , many times , no problem.
Toptul fills up my toolcart nice tools
I remember back in 1973 when I went to automotive school, the instructor told us that a mechanic was removing a spring and the tool slipped and the spring embedded in the guys head more than two inches. He said it was an awful site.
Excellent job!
Good job, how many miles on that dog, I have an 07 ridgeline with no rust and only 59K on it
Love your channel
You did not make a mistake a forget to clean the treads Eric, You made an on purpose. You did that to teach us to pay attention and remember to do every thing we need to do. You did not fool me! LOL!!
Yo, Eric O. What happened to the SMA Amazon store???? is it no more???