IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
1. Use as a pair only. Tighten and release evenly and slowly. Only use hand tools to tighten/release.
2. Secure spring in place with locking pins before use.
3. Keep work area clean. Cluttered areas invite injuries.
4. Consider work area conditions. Don’t use in damp, wet, or poorly lit locations. Don’t expose to rain. Keep work area well lit.
5. This product is not a toy. Do not allow children to play with or near this item.
6. Store idle equipment. When not in use, tools should be locked up in a dry location to inhibit rust.
7. Don’t force the machine or tool. It will do the job better and more safely at the rate for which it was intended.
8. Use as intended only.
9. Dress properly. Don't wear loose clothing or jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Protective gloves and non-skid footwear are recommended when working. Wear restrictive hair covering to contain long hair, preventing it from getting caught in machinery.
10. Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles and heavyduty work gloves during setup and use.
11. Don’t overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
12. Maintain tools with care. Keep tools clean for better and safer performance. Follow instructions for lubricating and changing accessories. Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and grease.
13. Stay alert. Watch what you are doing, use common sense. Don’t operate any tool when you are tired.
14. Inspect before every use; do not use if parts are loose or damaged.
15. Replacement parts and accessories. When servicing, use only identical replacement parts. Only use accessories intended for use with this tool. Approved accessories are available from Harbor Freight Tools.
16. Do not use when tired or when under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.
17. Maintain product labels and nameplates. These carry important safety information. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.

Set Up                                                 

For the purposes of this manual, it is assumed you will be removing a strut spring from a MacPherson-style strut assembly which has been removed from the vehicle.
1. Place the strut assembly down on a workbench or other solid work surface.
2. Examine the strut spring inside the strut assembly. Identify areas at each end of the strut spring to attach the Puller Hooks of the Strut Spring Compressor. There needs to be enough space between the coils for the Puller Hooks to fit between and still allow you enough compression to collapse the spring enough for safe removal. Ideally the Puller Hooks should be placed towards the outer ends of the coil spring.
3. Adjust the head of the Screw (3) to move the Threaded Puller Hook (1) to the end of the Screw, as shown in Figure A.

4. With the Locking Pins (4) in the unlocked position, place the Threaded Puller Hook around the strut spring at the spot you identified in Step 2, as shown in Figure B.

5. Adjust the Non-Threaded Puller Hook (2) to fit around the strut spring at the end opposite from Step 4. Make sure the Strut Spring Compressor is parallel (straight up and down) with the strut assembly, as shown in Figure C.

6. Tighten the head of the Screw until it contacts the Non-Threaded Puller Hook.
7. Push in the Locking Pins on both the Threaded and Non-Threaded Puller Hooks until they snap into locked position. Refer to Figure D and Figure E.
8. Repeat Steps 2 through 7 with the second Strut Spring Compressor Assembly.

WARNING! Always use both Strut Spring Compressors on the same spring, at the same time.

Removing The Strut Springs                                          
1. Check the Locking Pins to ensure they are in the locked position. Refer to Figure E.
2. Rotate the strut assembly so the head of the Screw can be easily accessed on each Strut Spring Compressor.
3. Begin to tighten the head of the Screw on one Strut Spring Compressor as shown in Figure E. Tighten the Screw about one inch, then tighten the Screw of the other Strut Spring Compressor an equal amount.

WARNING! To prevent serious injury or DEATH from the spring suddenly launching free: Tighten the Screws EVENLY. Do not tighten one Strut Spring Compressor all at once.

4. As the Screw on each Strut Spring Compressor is tightened, the strut spring will begin to compress. When the strut spring has been compressed enough to allow free play of the coil spring on the strut assembly, you may remove the strut bearing nut at the top of the strut assembly and remove the strut bearing and top hat. The compressed strut spring can now be removed.

WARNING! To reduce the pressure on the spring and maintain better stability, only tighten as much as is necessary.

5. If the Strut Spring Compressors have been tightened as far as possible and there is no free play of the coil spring on the strut assembly, DO NOT REMOVE the strut bearing nut. Remove the Strut Spring Compressors evenly and place the Puller Hooks further apart on the coil spring in order to compress more of the coil spring. Repeat Steps 2 through 4.
6. Do not store a compressed coil spring for ANY length of time, even if you are immediately replacing the strut. Loosen the Screws on the Strut Spring Compressors EVENLY to reduce pressure.

Cleaning, Maintenance, and Lubrication                                   

1. BEFORE EACH USE, inspect the Locking Pins, Screws, and Puller Hooks on the Strut Spring Compressors. Check for:
• loose hardware • misalignment or binding of moving parts
• cracked or broken parts
• any other condition that may affect safe operation.
Do not use if you find any cracks or other damage.
NOTE: Keep threads on Screws clean and lubricated at all times with a premium quality, light weight machine oil.
2. AFTER USE, wipe external surfaces of the tool with clean cloth.
3. When storing, keep the Strut Spring Compressor Set in its Carrying Case.