Abstract: A bench mounted spring compressor is utilized to compress a helical coil spring of a MacPherson strut suspension assembly. The compressor includes a fixed base member having an adapter attaching the shock absorber thereto. A vertically movable tube is arranged to telescope within a tube secured to the fixed base member. The upper end of the movable tube includes an engaging shoe head assembly which is horizontally movable relative to the vertically movable tube. A manually operable ball nut-helical screw arrangement moves the engaging shoe toward and away from the fixed base member. The ball nut-helical screw arrangement is freely movable in one direction of rotation but inhibited in the opposite direction of rotation. The telescoping tubes are prevented from rotating relative to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool for compressing a helical spring of the type typically used in a MacPherson strut suspension system. The tool comprises a pair of spaced apart shoes each having a helical groove formed therein for engaging a portion of the coil of the spring. Each shoe also includes a latchable locking device extendible over the respective helical groove for maintaining the coil of the spring within the groove during the compression operation. The two shoes are maintained in a spaced apart relationship with the associated grooves in facing relationship to one another by a threaded shank member. The threaded shank member includes a separate tool engaging configuration on each end thereof and is employed to effect movement of the spaced apart shoes toward and away from one another during the operation of the tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power driven tube cutter which can be effectively utilized to sever automotive exhaust pipes, for example. The tube cutter includes a workpiece engaging member adapted to engage the exhaust pipe, and a cutting blade mounted for movement torward and away from the workpiece engaging member. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a pneumatic power driver is utilized to advance the cutting blade toward the workpiece engaging member to sever the pipe. A biasing return spring is provided for withdrawing the cutting blade from between the two severed portions of the pipe.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved self-threading unit which can be utilized to hold a replacement shock absorber within the cylindrical shroud of a vehicular suspension system commonly referred to as a MacPherson strut suspension assembly. The nut includes a generally cylindrical main body portion having a tapered thread forming portion on the inner wall thereof. The thread forming portion is adapted to roll form buttress-type threads on the upper end of the cylindrical shroud. The upper end of the main body portion includes a top wall having an annular bushing mounted therein for receiving the shock absorber piston rod and centering the nut as it is rotated onto the cylindrical shroud. The top wall is provided with channels extending radially outwardly from the bushing such that, in the event the shock absorber bottoms out, any liquid which may have accumulated on the top wall of the nut, will be evacuated outwardly and will not be forced into the shroud through the bushing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool for removing threaded fasteners of varying configurations of the type commonly employed to retain a vehicle shock absorber in an associated cylindrical shroud. The tool comprises a main body portion of a generally rectangular box-like configuration having a plurality of fastener engaging means formed on the surfaces thereof. Each of the fastener engaging means has a separate fastener engaging configuration for engagement with a particular type of fastener. The main body has at least one keyway formed to extend along a portion of one of the outer surfaces of the body, with a piston rod receiving channel extending through the body and terminating in the keyway. A pair of spaced apart keys are slidably mounted in the keyway of the body. Each of the keys has a fastener engaging means formed thereon for engagement with a particular type of threaded fastener.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spring compressor adapted to compress an associated coil spring of a MacPherson strut suspension system. The spring compressor includes a lower clamping member adapted to be secured to the portion of the cylindrical shroud of the MacPherson strut located below the associated helical spring platform. A pair of spaced apart elongate threaded shank members are mounted on the clamping member and extend upwardly where they are threadably connected to a pair of spaced apart upper spring engaging hooks. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the elongated shank members are adjustably mounted to the clamping member to permit adjustment of the spaced apart distance between the upper spring engaging hooks. This enables the spring compressor to accommodate coil springs of various diameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a helical gear drive assembly which can be utiized as a spring compressor for compressing an associated helical coil spring of the type commonly utilized on MacPherson strut suspension assemblies. The spring compressor includes a pair of elongate parallel threaded guide shafts having an upper spring engaging shoe secured to the upper end thereof and a lower support link secured at their lower ends. The gear drive assembly is mounted on the guide shafts intermediate the upper spring engaging shoe and the lower support link and is utilized to support a lower spring engaging shoe in spaced apart, facing relationship with the upper spring engaging shoe. Both the upper and lower spring engaging shoes can be formed of a helical configuration to provide positive engagement with the respective coils of the spring. The helical drive assembly includes a separate internally threaded sleeve mounted within a housing about each of the threaded guide shafts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vise for securely supporting a workpiece relative to a fixed support. The vise includes a base member which is secured relative to the fixed support. A clamp assembly is rotatably mounted with respect to the base member and includes a pair of jaw members one member of which, except for the relative rotative movement between the clamp assembly and the base member, is fixed relative to the base member. The second jaw member is pivotally interconnected to the first jaw member. Both jaw members have a workpiece engaging surface formed thereon with the engaging surfaces arranged in a facing relation to one another. The vise further includes a threaded handle pivotally mounted on the second jaw member and cooperating with the fixed jaw member for pivoting the jaws relative to one another to move the workpiece engaging surfaces toward one another whereby a workpiece positioned between the surfaces will be securely supported.

Abstract: This invention relates to a retaining sleeve which is utilized in conjunction with an associated threaded cap to hold a replacement shock absorber within the cylindrical shroud of a vehicular suspension system of the type commonly referred to as a MacPherson strut suspension system. The retaining sleeve includes a hollow cylindrical upper member and a hollow cylindrical lower member. The lower end of the upper member is provided with collet portion having a plurality of radially movable arms. The collet portion has external tapered formed thereon for engagement with internal tapered threads formed on the upper end of the lower member. The relative rotation between the upper and lower members in one direction causes the collet arms to move radially inwardly to securely grip the outer wall of the cylindrical shroud. After a replacement shock absorber is inserted within the cylindrical shroud, the threaded cap can be secured to the upper end of the retaining sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting tool which is utilized to sever a cylindrical body such as a cylindrical shroud of a factory-sealed vehicular suspension system of the type commonly referred to as a MacPherson strut suspension system. The tool is designed with a construction which permits the tool to sever the cylindrical shroud while the shroud remains attached to the vehicle. The tool comprises an upper control mechanism which is mechanically coupled to a lower cutting assembly by means of a pair of coaxial elongate tubes. The lower cutting assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, rotatable cutting wheels which are radially movable between a retracted position and an expanded position. The upper control mechanism determines the radial position of the cutting wheels by controlling the relative rotative position between the two elongate tubes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cylinder cutting tool which is utilized to sever the upper end of a cylindrical housing of a factory-sealed vehicular suspension system of the type commonly referred to as a MacPherson strut suspension system. The tool includes a main body portion having a main arm, a second arm, and a clamp for supporting the tool on the piston rod of the original shock absorber for controlling the rotation of the tool. A rotatable cutting wheel assembly is slidably movable relative to the main support arm. The cutting wheel may be moved into and out of engagement with the cylinder by a suitable lead screw actuatable by rotating a hand grip mounted on the outer end of the main arm. The cutting line at which the cylinder is severed may be controlled by providing a plastic adapter element of a predetermined thickness for supporting the rotating tool on top of the cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lead screw threading tool utilized to form external threads on the upper end of a cylindrical shroud of a shock absorber assembly of a vehicular suspension system. The tool includes an expandable collet which is inserted into one end of the shroud for maintaining a lead screw arbor in axial alignment with the interior opening of the shroud. The lead screw arbor is utilized for mounting a driver unit for longitudinal movement along the axis of the arbor. A thread forming die is fastened to the driver unit in such a manner so as to permit limited radial movement of the forming die relative to the axis of the arbor. The limited radial movement of the threading die permits the die to properly seat on the outer wall of the shroud in the event there is a variation in concentricity between the inner and outer walls of the cylindrical shroud.

Abstract: An instrument to measure the concentricity of a piston rod relative to its cylinder, has an elongate cylindrical support on which are slidably mounted a pair of brackets provided with V-shaped notches embracingly to engage the cylinder and hold the support in parallel relation to the cylinder. At the outer end of the support and disposed at right angles thereto is a feeler probe to engage the piston rod. A calibrated dial, having an associated pointer, is carried by the support and the pointer is articulated to the feeler probe for causing the pointer to indicate in the dial the degree of concentricity of the piston rod.

Abstract: This invention relates to a threaded pinch-bolt sleeve which is utilized in conjunction with an associated retaining nut to hold a replacement shock absorber within the cylindrical housing of a vehicular suspension system of the type commonly referred to as a MacPherson strut suspension system. The sleeve includes a generally cylindrical main body portion which is placed over the upper portion of the cylindrical housing. A pinch bolt attached to the outer side wall of the main body portion is tightened to secure the sleeve to the cylinder. The upper end of the sleeve is provided with either internal or external threads to receive a retaining nut to hold the replacement shock absorber in the associated cylindrical housing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a self-threading nut which is utilized to hold a replacement shock absorber within the cylinder housing of a vehicular suspension system commonly referred to as a MacPherson strut suspension system. The nut includes a generally cylindrical main body portion having a tapered threaded portion on the inner wall thereof. A plurality of apertures are formed in the side wall of the main body portion to provide positive lead angle cutting edges and permit the removal of metal chips therefrom. The lower end of the nut is formed with an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the cylinder, and the upper end wall includes a plastic bushing having an inner diameter corresponding to the diameter of the piston rod of the replacement shock absorber. The inner diameter of the lower end and the plastic bushing cooperate to center the nut as threads are formed on the outer wall of the cylinder.

Abstract: An improved spring compressor tool for use on, for example, a MacPherson-type independent suspension assembly of a vehicle, without the necessity of removing the suspension from the vehicle. The tool includes upper and lower U-shaped pressure shoes having helical-shaped outer peripheries which define slots for receiving spaced coils of the spring intermediate the opposed connected ends of the spring. At least one of the shoes is linearly adjustable and both shoes are rotatably adjustable for initial alignment with the spaced spring coils. A pair of pneumatic cylinders are positioned side-by-side between the upper and lower shoes. Air pressure is provided through novel valves mounted on a handle for the tool to the cylinders for moving the shoes toward one another to compress the spring and to vent the cylinders for releasing the spring. Return springs are provided in the cylinders to urge the shoes to a non-compressed position during venting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool for compressing a helical spring of the type typically used in a MacPherson strut suspension system. The tool comprises a pair of spaced apart shoes each having a helical groove formed therein for engaging a portion of the coil of the spring. Each shoe also includes a latchable locking device extendible over the respective helical groove for maintaining the coil of the spring within the groove during the compression operation. The two shoes are maintained in a spaced apart relationship with the associated grooves in facing relationship to one another by a threaded shank member. The threaded shank member includes a separate tool engaging configuration on each end thereof and is employed to effect movement of the spaced apart shoes toward and away from one another during the operation of the tool.