Another failed front spring on a CLK

Midland45

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Just spotted my 04 W209 CLK 270 has a broken front coil spring. So had all the quotes ranging from £290 + vat at dealers, to £216 at local Indy. Job i've done a few times before on other makes, without problems using standard spring compressors. Had a good read of posts on here and having looked at the struts, looks like my trusty compressors will not fit due to the size of the spring pans. Just wondering if anyone has done this job, and if anyone has tried machine marts 1 tonne hydraulic compressor (about £100) or the sealey equivalent on these struts. Also I believe there's a special tool to required to remove the slotted nut on the upper pan, anyone know where this is available from. I'm fully aware car springs posses a lot of energy when compressed, and would only attempt this with suitable tools.
 

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You can buy a MB dedicated compressor for £100,,that is all you need
 
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Midland45

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You can buy a MB dedicated compressor for £100,,that is all you need
Thanks for your response. Can you recommend a model, and where I can get it from? Any ideas where you can get the socket for the strut nut from? Audi/VW sockets are widely available, but can't seem to find a Mercedes one
MB part 203 589 00 07 00
 

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I think that our member Jib from Cambridgeshire was the last person to buy one,,I would send him a PM.


I will also ask SAM to look at the post
 

SQ_W211

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Or you could go to MBS and have it done for the quater of the cost????
 
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Midland45

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Sorry, item number RE225!

Many thanks for your replies and advice. I notice that RE225 retails at about £400, so would need to be doing a few cars to warrant that outlay, even at MB dealer prices lol. Was wondering if R231 on the same page would work OK.
Yeh, can have it done inc genuine parts for £216
 

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The one used by Jib did cost £99 and others have bought them
 
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Midland45

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Thanks,
Has anyone used these compressors at all, they specficallly mention Mercedes C and E. Around £200, but could go to that if someone can guarantee one of springs on the rest of the familys cars will break due to poor manufacture/roads/speed bumps etc lol

http://dropshiponline.co.uk/product...ssor Set 1792ERA&products_id=2328&language=en

Also anyone know of a supplier of the pin wrench required for strut top ?
 

meanie

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For the use that you'll give them I think that they'll be more than adequate.
Have you tried any of the local motor factors- we have a couple round this way who have a range of tools that they hire out (we use them for the odd cam belt tool kit).
 
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Midland45

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Thanks malcolm
TTS1040 is maybe too much to lay out for occasional use. Had good reviews of http://dropshiponline.co.uk/product...ssor Set 1792ERA&products_id=2328&language=en on another forum
TTS203 is exactly what is needed for the strut nut. The tool is available from MB dealers at about £16 +vat, so maybe the way to go. Although I think it may be possible to adapt a 22mm nut by grinding and leaving the corresponding pips on to allow removal of the nut. I think its only torqued to approx 20NM, on the 209 iirc. Mind I haven't had a good look at any access problems yet.
 

mikestrivens

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You can get the same thing from germany for less, see Ebay item number 260452356952
 

Dave Brooker

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Midland45

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You can get the same thing from germany for less, see Ebay item number 260452356952

Checked this item out, but its not suitable for macpherson strut type front suspension.
Dead right saying it would be cheaper to go to an indy, but I would like to keep this car, and have recently replaced springs on my wifes car (vauxhall) with my old 2 piece compressor. From the indy's quote I'm thinking I have approx £120 of labour cost which I can put towards a decent compressor, for the inevitable next time I'm in this position. I have two sons not far off buying their first cars too; they'll invariably be "bangers" and would lay odds they'll need respringing at some stage. I guess as long as I use them a second time I'm on a winner. I will however have a ring roo
und the local hirer shops, they might have something suitable.
many thanks for all help so for.
 
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Midland45

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Well just to update I changed the broken spring yesterday. Strut removal was straight forward, one of the easiest I've done, compressing the part broken spring was quite tricky getting the positioning correct on the compressor tool. The official MB one is positioned over the upper spring mount, so is much easier to use. I found my compressor to be easily man enough to compress the spring safely, but needed to just compress the spring tail slightly with one of my old style 2 piece compressor set. What did shock me was the amount of threads on the nut needing the pin wrench to remove it (Agree now MB tool is a must for this). I think I would leave the damper self lock nut on the strut unless the spring is compressed in future for safety sake. Recompressing the new spring again is tricky getting the positioning right so that when you release you can withdraw the compressor. So to sum, up can be a tricky job but can be acomplished safely with the good tools and by a lot of head scratching, time and patience. Would I do this job again, yes but I just don't like to be beaten by anything. I still have the other side to do, but 2nd time around will be a lot easier. Thanks for all from the forum who helped.
 

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