front spring problem

[Ade1]

I am trying to replace a frontspring on a 05 C 180 Avantgarde.Having got tne old one off the strut has pulled itself in,as they do,but is impossible to pull out by more than an inch.Does this mean it is faulty ? I have done loads of coil springs but never on a Mercedes.I took it to a garage and they could not manage it with a workshop machine which all seems strange to me.Any advice appreciated as it has to go for a retest soon.

 

[onefortheroad]

Shock change time.

 

[star]

C class of that year are pita to do front springs unless you have the right tool. We quite often replace them for other garages.

 

[Ade1]

Pretty much what I was thinking,being f***** I mean,just wanted a bit of confirmation before spending even more on it.Would have thought the garage would have realised tho,thought maybe it was a Merc thing,always been a Ford man up til now....Thanks.

 

[Uncle Benz]

I have a clamp tool that fits around the damper shaft before you remove the spring. It is possible to put a big washer on the top (i have a piece of an old crank pulley) and use a small bottle jack to pump the thing up. Can then clamp the base of the shaft. Ooo eer.

 

[Ade1]

I have a clamp tool that fits around the damper shaft before you remove the spring. It is possible to put a big washer on the top (i have a piece of an old crank pulley) and use a small bottle jack to pump the thing up. Can then clamp the base of the shaft. Ooo eer.

So it is meant to be like this ? Having read a few 'how to do it' articles and the near useless Haynes manual there is no mention of it being impossible to pull out by hand. It doesn't seem to make sense from a damping point of view either.

 

[star]

we have the Mercedes version of this, you interchange the end plates for different models, so as newer models appear you can tool up for it. The later slk’s are worse to do. Think the base kit was £1000.

 

[Uncle Benz]

 

[star]

Our tool clamps the spring tight enough so you don’t need to pull/clamp shaft.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Our tool clamps the spring tight enough so you don’t need to pull/clamp shaft.

It’s not essential, but it makes the job a whole lot easier!

if you clamp the shaft before you compress the spring it prevents the damper shaft withdrawing. It means nowhere near as much spring clamping is needed. The nylon inserts protect the shaft from marking. I have a good spring compressor station, but this little tool reduces the amount of potential energy stored, and therefore reduces the danger too

 

[Ade1]

Ahhh,the clamp looks the business,of course had I known this beforehand.....done loads of springs on variuos other makes where you can pull them out by hand.The compressor looks good,but then S.P. stuff generally is,just ordered a DIY version off Amazon for £75.I do have something I could adapt to clamp it if I can do something like Uncle Benz has suggested with a bottle jack.I've got one of these but it stopped working,would have been ideal,typische.

 

[Oldspanners]

It’s not essential, but it makes the job a whole lot easier!

if you clamp the shaft before you compress the spring it prevents the damper shaft withdrawing. It means nowhere near as much spring clamping is needed. The nylon inserts protect the shaft from marking. I have a good spring compressor station, but this little tool reduces the amount of potential energy stored, and therefore reduces the danger too

Interesting tool.
Where did you get it?

 

[star]

Ahhh,the clamp looks the business,of course had I known this beforehand.....done loads of springs on variuos other makes where you can pull them out by hand.The compressor looks good,but then S.P. stuff generally is,just ordered a DIY version off Amazon for £75.I do have something I could adapt to clamp it if I can do something like Uncle Benz has suggested with a bottle jack.I've got one of these but it stopped working,would have been ideal,typische.

Personally, having seen a spring “go off” I wouldn’t risk it without the correct tools.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Interesting tool.
Where did you get it?

I bought mine from my Snap On dealer. He's like a drug dealer, but more expensive

It isn't a Snap On product. I think it could be Laser Tools. I'm sure if you search eBay you'll find something similar.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Yup, Laser Tools. A quick search found it...

https://www.lasertools.co.uk/products/Cars/Steering-and-Suspension/Struts-and-Dampers

£20. Not exactly expensive either

 

[Oldspanners]

Yup, Laser Tools. A quick search found it...

https://www.lasertools.co.uk/products/Cars/Steering-and-Suspension/Struts-and-Dampers

£20. Not exactly expensive either

Thanks, must get that on my Santa letter!

 

[Ade1]

Personally, having seen a spring “go off” I wouldn’t risk it without the correct tools.

I mean for the clamp,I've ordered decent compressors,cheapo DIY ones are no good for these springs. I'm off to find one of those clamps tomorrow too.

 

[Ade1]

I mean for the clamp,I've ordered decent compressors,cheapo DIY ones are no good for these springs. I'm off to find one of those clamps tomorrow too.

No I'm not,on ebay for a tenner.