A coil spring compressor for use with helical compression springs such as those used in suspensions for motor vehicles. The coil spring compressor comprises an elongate body having parallel side plates (1,2) made from heavy duty steel forming slide surfaces (3,4,5,6) along the longitudinal edges. At one end of the body a fixed carriage (10) is secured between the side plates (1,2) and at the other end a locator (20) is secured between the side plates (1,2). The locator (20) and the fixed carriage (10) are provided with bearings (26,16) which receive ends (33,32) of a threaded shaft (30). A movable carriage (40) having a threaded through hole (41) is contained within the body of the spring compressor and is carried on the threaded shaft (30). The shaft (30) can be rotated using a sheer pin (35) having a hexagonal end (36) causing the movable carriage (40) to move along it with shoulder portions (42,43,44,45) engaging the slide surfaces (3,4,5,6). The fixed and movable carriages (10,40) are provided with means to receive and support the shoe members which receive the spring to be compressed.