I purchased this tool for changing the front struts on my Infiniti I30. The tool worked great. It's a very solid tool, weighing just over 20 pounds. It easily compressed the springs and seemed very safe. I highly recommend this tool if you're changing your own struts.

The OTC 6494 Clamshell Strut spring compressor works exactly as advertised. With this unit you will be able to do the complex task of SAFELY compressing strut springs with minimal effort. Changing springs or replacing strut is no easy task without the proper tools, so save yourself some time and headaches by purchasing this tool. You will be glad you did.

I'm never one to go running to a service garage every time my vehicle needs work. So now my shocks are shot on my 4x4 SUV and they need replacing. The front shocks, however, have the coil springs wound around them. I have had experience using the widow-maker style of spring compressors before and I didn't want to relive that experience. I was originally drawn to this clamshell style because it seems like a much safer design. I thought that they were a bit pricey, but with tools, you get what you pay for (usually). I replaced my shocks just last weekend and I was quite satisfied with the performance of this spring compressor. My son helped me with the job and as soon as he saw the compressor he had some misgivings because he had a similar product (from H***** Freight) and dumped it after one use. Once he had this one in hand he was amazed at how stout it is. It did a great job and we had no problems completing the replacement of my shocks. Now on to my next project (while replacing the shocks I found a split boot on one of the CV joints).

OTC tools are high quality Amazon price is lowest.

I got my tool for $152 other tool sites wanted
over $185 plus s/h.

Use super saver shipping and save more money.

Time to retire my old SGC Tool Aid spring
compressor and use the OTC tool.

The SGC is still useful for straight springs
on cars and trucks but you can't compress the
strut springs to remove the strut nut safely.

This OTC tool will compress the spring correctly
and most important safely. You can get hurt bad
if the spring slips off using the cheap tools out there.

Invest in this OTC too now, instead of driving to the
machine shop and spending money and time for the shop to
swap the springs out you can do it in less then the time
it takes to go to the shop and save the labor fee.

I own a 2000 Hyundai Sonata and needed to have the struts replaced. I refused to pay $1200 dollars to replace the struts, mounts, baffles, and bushings. So I decided to do it myself. I had the parts but was scarfed to death to use the widow maker 2 piece clamp and jaw set from the auto store. I researched and reviewed all the affordable and well designed tools and OTC was my final choice.
I have to say this tool was perfect for the job. It is well engineered and built. The welds are master quality and the steel is high grade. There was no time during the compression or release that I ever felt nervous or feared for my life. I even left the spring compressed over 24hours due to a mix up at the auto store. They gave me the wrong struts for my vehicle. The easiest part of the process was the OTC clam shell spring compressor. I used my bare hands and a ratchet to compress the spring, no air tools, with ease.
I have never purchased OTC before, but I will in the future.