USAG Valve Spring Compressor (U.43LA-USAG) - The Facom/USAG U.43LA is a universal automotive tool that can be used on almost any gas or diesel car engine across European, Asian, and American brands, provided the engine uses overhead valves (OHV, SOHC, or DOHC).
- For removing valve springs
- The slide hammer is used to free split collets (release the spring cap)
- Stock cup supplied with the tool is 34mm (21mm & 29mm cups are also available)
- Excellent online reviews for this tool...identical to the Facom version.
- This USAG tool is identical to the Facom version at less than half the price plus a US warranty.
Because it's a universal 34 mm slide hammer, compatibility is determined by physical dimensions rather than a specific vehicle list. To confirm if it will work on a specific car engine, the vehicle must meet three geometric conditions:
1. Removable Cylinder Head: The tool requires vertical impact force from a slide hammer. It cannot be used inside a tight car engine bay. The cylinder head must be removed and placed on a flat workbench.
2. Valve Bucket Bore Clearance: The tool's plunging head has a fixed diameter of 34 mm. The recessed spark plug or valve bucket well on multi-valve engines (like modern 16V or 24V compact heads) must be wide enough to let a 34 mm cup slip over the spring assembly without binding against the aluminum walls. To use this tool on a modern 4-valve head, you'll need the FACOM U.43LA16A accessory adapter. This downsizes the tool's plunging head to a slim 29 mm diameter, allowing it to safely slide deep inside 16-valve and 24-valve bucket bores. The even smaller 21mm cup, U.43LA16-21, has been discontinued but I still have 2 in stock.
3. Retainer Diameter: The tool's impact cup must rest securely on the outer edge of the upper valve spring retainer plate to compress the spring and catch the released split collets (keepers)
The USAG U04380003 (Model 438 N) is a professional-grade Slide-Hammer Valve Lifter / Valve Spring Compressor. It is the exact USAG tool equivalent to the Facom U.43LA, manufactured under the same parent company umbrella but traditionally positioned as a more cost-effective alternative with regional distribution differences.
Function & Operation
- Purpose: Engineered explicitly for overhead valve servicing to speed up the extraction of valve springs.
- Mechanism: The integrated linear slide hammer delivers a blunt, controlled impact to the spring cap assembly. This instantaneous shock effectively breaks loose seized, tightly wedged, or baked-on split collets (valve keepers) without requiring complex mechanical lever rigs.
- Setup Constraints: It requires vertical overhead impact force to separate components effectively. This means the cylinder head must be completely removed from the engine block and secured on a flat workbench before operation.
Technical Specifications
- Stock Plunging Cup: Equipped from the factory with a standard 34 mm diameter cup. (Note: If you are servicing narrow bucket bores on modern multi-valve heads, downsized 21 mm and 29 mm accessory cups are available separately).
- Overall Capacity Range: Rated for internal capacity tolerances up to 130 mm.
- Physical Profile: Built from premium tool steel featuring a polished industrial chrome finish and cataloged globally under EAN bar code
8010239122079
