Same issue here. I cut a small piece (a few inches or so) of rigid black/plumbing pipe to use as a spacer in the compressor. Worked like a champ.

Please be careful. Those spring compressors are dubbed "widow makers" for a reason.

 

I agree with Pauly. Make a spacer from iron pipe that sits above the top plate and then the screw will not bottom out on the A-arm.

 

I have a compessor Mustang steve, you can borrow it if you want In Gilbert az.

 

There are instructions on how to make one in a Tony D Branda catalog. Uses a lower front shock to pull the coil up as the col sits on the spring to A arm mount. Yes, you will also need a welder.

 

I watched a German mechanic compress a spring with two nylon strap tie-downs, worked pretty good!

 

Not cheap, but I've heard great things about this one:

Coil Spring Compressing Tool - New ~ 1967 - 1973 Mercury Cougar / 1967 - 1973 Ford Mustang

Tool used for compressing coil springs (spring compressor) on a 67-73 Cougar / 64-73 Mustang

secure.cougarpartscatalog.com

 

Not cheap, but I've heard great things about this one:

Coil Spring Compressing Tool - New ~ 1967 - 1973 Mercury Cougar / 1967 - 1973 Ford Mustang

Tool used for compressing coil springs (spring compressor) on a 67-73 Cougar / 64-73 Mustang

secure.cougarpartscatalog.com

Use the above to prevent death before your time.

Lee

 

I just used a scrap piece of conduit I had laying around.

Same tool. But here I used a 2 1/2 lb dumbbell weight plate and a washer on the top and pulled the spring into the tower. It works a little smoother if you stack multiple washers and grease them up.

 

The one already mentioned that is specific to the early mustang looks good but many here including myself have used this one. Seems pricing is WAY up on this. I paid $173 back in Feb 2018 and now it is $280.

It works great at least on my 66 and very safe in my opinion vs the hook style. I added a thrust bearing to make it turn easier but probably overkill.

OTC 7054B Spring Compressor

 

I made this one about 20 years ago, kind of like the one pictured in the shop manual.

 

I use one like at west coast Cougar. Been working with it for 20 years, works great. I think it is the best. If you have never changed out coil springs, you better have a good tool you can trust in, they can kill you if not done right. I see them on e-bay for sale also.

 

I bought a piece at Lowe’s or Home Depot didn’t even need to cut it
They sell 2”, 4“ and 6” for a few dollars

 

Tommy Z is still selling his on eBay. They work pretty good with the optional thrust (bearing) washer. I used it so many times I wore out the bearing. Not a pan, it’s a good well priced tool,

Pardon Our Interruption...

Z

 

What zray said. Coil springs are probably the most dangerous item on our vehicles. If you’ve never have a compressor tool fail you, it will leave you with a newfound respect for a quality tool. The tool that mounts to the spring perch will not fail you. Just my 2 cents.

 

Thank you everyone. Bought some metal pipe and some washers. Worked great.

 

And you did not die?
Inconceivable!

 

Do be careful, I’ve had a spring shoot out, luckily past my head and not through it, when one of those arms slipped. It put a hole in the garage wall…