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So my friend calls me yesterday and asks me if I have a valve spring compressor, he's working on a VW head where the valves are bent, I told him I have an air powered spring compressor but that he can just take a socket on an extension and place it on the retainer and smack it with a hammer and it will compress the spring enough to allow the keepers to pop out.... I've done this many times on other heads so I know it works.... So anyone else use this method to remove valve keepers??
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Last edited by TC; February 3, 2013, 01:07 PM. -
Absolutely! Works great. The hard part is rounding up all the keepers. I just use a deep impact socket w/o extension.
DanLast edited by DanStokes; February 3, 2013, 12:35 PM. -
On VW a engine with such little spring pressures, I'm sure it will work. Might want to soak it all with PB Blaster to loosen the muck that will glue it together.
I have a $10 valve spring compressor that is just a lever. I've used it on double solid roller springs. Gives a good work out, but works.BS'er formally known as Rebeldryver
Resident Instigator
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I do the same as you and DanStrokesit to remove them and go the same route as Scott Ligkitt to put them back-on... But my lever is a Pickle ForkComment
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Of all the paths you take in life - make sure a few of them are dirt.Comment
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I've found the lever to actually be easier in many cases than the big "c-clamp" style. a light tap with with a rubber mallet and a magnet to fish them out are handy to have nearby.There's always something new to learn.Comment
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They sell a tool that will install them the same way.2007 SBN/A Drag Week Winner & First only SBN/A Car in the 9's Till 2012
First to run in the .90s .80s and .70's in SBN/A
2012 SSBN/A Drag Week Winner First in the 9.60's/ 9.67 @ 139 1.42 60'
2013 SSBN/A Drag Week, Lets quit sand bagging, and let it rip!Comment
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I wanna see the YouTube vid on how to use a hammer and socket to INSTALL spring keepers, lol...Yes, I'm a CarJunkie... How many times would YOU rebuild the same engine before getting a crate motor?
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Holly Crap....I never thought of using a socket to INSTALL the keepers.. Did he say that it was a special tool that holds the keepers apart as you push the retainer down over the valveComment
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Either those are whimpy springs or that guy is a HE-MAN!
DanComment
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I used to remove the Keepers on V8 Benz heads with a socket and hammer, though I used a pneumatic spring compressor to put them back on..... Saying that most imports like VW and Toyota have weepy springs that you can compress like that..... Crazy thing is I had to crank up the pressure on my compressor regulator to 125psi to compress the springs on my 406 and it just barely did it...... I don't even think the hammer and socket would work on those......Originally posted by DanStokes View PostComment
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