Tool For Compressing Parking Brake Springs

A cheap and practical tool for compressing those troublesome parking brake springs........

Hopefully removing the springs on the handbrake cable is something you won't have to do too often, so you don't want to spend a lot of money on a spring compressor you will rarely use. There are various solutions for re-compressing the springs for assembly: some people try to use mole grips, others try to wire them up. Both of these will probably work but are time-consuming and prone to failure and accidents. This tool should stop a lot of the cursing and swearing.

I saw an American video of DS engine removal on Youtube. The mechanic used a clever scissor-like valve spring compressor that compressed the spring from both ends. It was ideal for DS parking brake springs.It was cheap, quick and efficient - but I couldn't find one!

What I did find was this tool.

The tool is actually designed for compressing the big springs in GM truck doors. 
The compressing arms slot in-between the spring winds and you then tighten the black bolt.........

Brake Cable Spring Compressed

The arms have a notch in them and so will compress the spring and still allow the all-important DS parking brake cable to run through the centre. 

Notched Ends Slip Over Brake Cable

I ordered my tool from America. There are various makes at various prices. As I don't expect to use it often, I got a cheap one with low cost postage. Total cost was probably about £16. It's sturdy and will be more than up to the job.