Working on your car’s suspension often requires specialized tools, which can be expensive and not always accessible. Many car enthusiasts, when faced with suspension repairs, look for cost-effective alternatives. One such solution involves creating your own Car Suspension Tools, perfectly tailored to your vehicle’s needs. This article explores a practical approach to crafting a DIY car suspension tool, drawing inspiration from a seasoned auto repair enthusiast’s experience.
Creating your own car suspension tool can be simpler than you might think. As one experienced individual discovered while working on a Jaguar XJ40, a custom tool can be fabricated with readily available materials and basic tools. The core of this DIY approach involves using a length of threaded rod, combined with a steel bar and a section of angled pipe. This ingenious design allows for the effective compression and manipulation of suspension springs, making tasks like bush changes significantly easier.
Let’s delve into the components and construction of this homemade suspension tool. The foundation is a 500mm length of 22mm threaded rod. To provide a secure point of contact, an 8mm hardened round steel bar is incorporated at one end – a roll pin could serve a similar purpose. Crucially, a piece of pipe, cut at approximately a 45-degree angle, is used to ensure the spring and pan are reintroduced at the correct angle, mirroring the lower wishbone’s alignment. This angled pipe section is vital for aligning all bolts simultaneously during reassembly. Washers are also necessary to prevent the nut from slipping through the angled pipe.
Assembling this DIY tool is straightforward. Lubricate the threads of the rod to ensure smooth operation. The tighter the rod fits into the top spring housing, the more stable the tool will be, but it must still be turnable to allow for pin seating. For enhanced precision during reassembly, consider crafting a couple of 8mm x 75mm locating dowels from bolts by removing the nut head and grinding a point. These dowels aid in aligning the spring pan precisely to the wishbone.
Despite initial concerns about the strength and size of suspension springs, this DIY tool proves to be remarkably effective. The creator of this tool found the bush changing process, often perceived as challenging, to be surprisingly straightforward thanks to their homemade solution. This experience underscores the practicality and efficiency of DIY car suspension tools.
In conclusion, for those seeking a budget-friendly and effective method for handling car suspension work, creating your own tools is a viable option. This example, using readily available materials to construct a functional suspension tool, showcases how ingenuity and a DIY approach can simplify even seemingly complex automotive tasks. By understanding the basic principles and adapting them to your specific vehicle, you can create car suspension tools that are both cost-effective and perfectly suited to your needs.
