Spring Compressors

[turnipsock]

I started to replace my front springs tonight, with the help of Hellfords spring compressors. I didn't get very far as they seem to struggle to get a decent grip on the springs.

Looking at the turret, there is a hole in the top and bottom and is probably designed for a threaded rod to go up the middle and a couple of things to go in there to compress the spring.

Anybody know if you can get a proper spring compressor from somewhere? (cheap)

 

[190D]

Turnip have a look at this link


http://sealey.industrialsuperstore.co.uk/sealey/product.php?product=21816

 

[guydewdney]

theres a lot of talk about springs and not using the cheap ones - they wont take the welly that merc springs require. One guy had a guy killed in his workshop when one broke...

take off the lower arm to get the spring out?

 

[Nik_Codling]

I seem to recall reading a thread about this a while back which said that Mercedes dealers have special hydraulic compressors for this job?

I tried to take out the rear springs on my coupe without success - not enough clearance to get the compressors in there.

BTW Anyone want to buy a set of 300TE rear springs? I was going to fit them as an aid for the ride height when towing, but they've just sat in my garage since.

cheers,

Nik

 

[andy_k]

The merc tool is made by Klann and costs a few hundred quid, anything else you run the risk of serious injury or damage to your car (or both).

The golden rule is don't mess with the front springs without the proper tool

The rears are relatively easy

Turnip - you have a PM

Andy

 

[bundy]

with referance to http://sealey.industrialsuperstore....p?product=21816
dont bother they dont fit!! i tried them before buying the klann spring compressors.

regards; bundy

 

[190D]

Turnip have you got your spings changed yet? The are a piece of **** to fit have fitted many a front spring on w201 & w124 mercs using everyday spring compressors but must admit they are easier to change with a one piece spring clamp. Compress spring Remove antiroll bar mountings on lower wishbone & remove ball joint from Hub. Make sure you have the car raised enough to allow the lower wishbone to swing down. Put a trolly juck under wishbone & lower it slowly hey presto the spring is out. position the spring clamps at the same position as they were on the old springs compress & fit spring into position jack up lower wishbone and refit ball joint & antiroll bar job done. A PIECE Of ****

 

[turnipsock]

theres a lot of talk about springs and not using the cheap ones - they wont take the welly that merc springs require.

It's alright Guy, I got the springs from the Merc dealer. One of the springs on my car looks quite new, so maybe a previous owner has fitted the wrong springs.

 

[turnipsock]

Turnip have you got your spings changed yet?

Not yet, I was made to sit in the back of a Landrover while it was driven around a mountain today. I then got a touch of bird flu, but I seem to be over it now.

The gizzmo in the link is like what I was thinking about. I have a couple of more ideas to explore, including taking it to the dealers.

I did one on my 230TE a while back but it was not easy. I didn't take the ball joint off but took the shock absorberof at the top.

 

[nicky]

There is an easy way of fitting the springs,,,,compress the springs on the ground with a set of spring compressors,wire the springs with some heavy gauge wire.remove the clamps,fit the springs in and when all is connected and weight put back on the spring ..cut off the wire..works every time...

 

[andy_k]

have you actuallytried that trick with W124 suspension springs?

I'll agree that for most cars it's a reasonable system and will have a decent success versus serious injury ratio but these springs are so heavily loaded that the more common type of clamp compressors aren't actually up to job and will either bend or break under the strain!!

I know an experienced MB mechanic who loves to tell the story of how a front spring broke free of a clamp and went straight through a breeze block wall 20' away.

Giving advice out is one thing but it's worth making sure that what you say isn't going to end up with somebody in hospital because of it.

Also, that system is for refitting the springs -What method do you suggest for getting the springs out in the first place?

Andy

 

[nicky]

have you actuallytried that trick with W124 suspension springs?

I'll agree that for most cars it's a reasonable system and will have a decent success versus serious injury ratio but these springs are so heavily loaded that the more common type of clamp compressors aren't actually up to job and will either bend or break under the strain!!

I know an experienced MB mechanic who loves to tell the story of how a front spring broke free of a clamp and went straight through a breeze block wall 20' away.

Giving advice out is one thing but it's worth making sure that what you say isn't going to end up with somebody in hospital because of it.

Also, that system is for refitting the springs -What method do you suggest for getting the springs out in the first place?

Andy

Yes,,,,,,,but this post would not be here if the owner had the proper spring compressor to start with......so he or she is looking for ideas to fit them.

 

[andy_k]

fair comment Nicky but the system you suggested isn't really an alternative in this case.

Also, I've hopefully arranged for Turnip to get a loan/hire of the proper tool to do the job safely - all he has to do is get in touch with the guy.

just for the record the Klann tool can be found here apart from the price, check out the loading and breaking strain!!!!

Andy

 

[nicky]

fair comment Nicky but the system you suggested isn't really an alternative in this case.

Also, I've hopefully arranged for Turnip to get a loan/hire of the proper tool to do the job safely - all he has to do is get in touch with the guy.

just for the record the Klann tool can be found here apart from the price, check out the loading and breaking strain!!!!

Andy

I am aware of the proper tool for the job,we have it in the garage...So if you have arranged to sort the tool out for him ,thats great...we can close the thread now...l

 

[turnipsock]

I managed to get a spring out tonight. Taking them out is easy as you just need to hook on the spring compressors and then jack up the car. Undo the shock absorber and anti roll bar and the spring almost falls out.

The old spring didn't look significantly shorter than a new spring, however it may still be 'tired'.

Getting the new springs in may be a major job though.

When I took the old spring out it was compressed to 13.5"

A new spring is about 17" unteathered.

 

[turnipsock]

Looking at Andy's tool, it seems to be designed to compress the spring, for removal, without atking off half the bits I removed.

Nicky's wiring seems to work if you remove the shock absorber at the top, the brake caliper and the antiroll bar. This lets the wishbone drop enoug to easily get the spring in (and out). You only need to compress the spring about three inches.

I've fitted the portside one without any problems and have removed the Starboard side one, this was broken at the bottom...strange the MOT man didn't spot this? (I only noticed it when I pulled the spring out).

 

[turnipsock]

All back together now.

The handling has been transformed and the ride is vastly improved. Is this what it is supposed to feel like?

 

[leylandp38]

I tried the front springs on my recently purchased and rather low in the front 300TE-24 a couple of weeks ago. I was using 2 sets of spring clamps for safety, but after the Halfords ones popped off the spring shot across the workshop with my vice attached.

That scared some sense into me so I got the garage to do it... all up it cost £120 plus the sperings (£20+VAT each from GSF) which I thought was a good deal. The garage descibed the springs as 'fighters'... I don't think they enjoyed the job.

For the record, here is a pic of one of my old springs, broken in 4 places! The other was only broken in one place... needless to say she rides a LOT better now. :lol:

View attachment Jcar-springs.jpg

 

[clive williams]

All this talk of broken springs!!!!! I must admit I have a broken lead-in portion to the LHS front spring on my 500E but it does not seem to affect the ride height or alignment. This has been checked 3/4 times in the last five years since it was first noticed and I have covered around 100K miles on it!

What is it with merc springs? I don't know of another manufacturer that has this widely recognised problem with coil springs. I was considering rebuilding the suspension with new bushes all round, new springs on the front and new dampers all round. Which springs should I use - mercs quality is obviously suspect!! - Eibach? or one of the other independants or indeed get them specially wound by one of the competition suppliers to the standard spec?

Anyone got any other thoughts?

Clive

500E
320CDIT210

 

[turnipsock]

One of my cars failed an MOT cos the lead in part of the spring was broken. The other car had the same problem but the MOT station failed to spot it.If the dealer is replacing the springs, then they should have the correct spring compressor and will have done this job hundreds of times before. If it's another garage, then they are not much better equiped than you or I (except the might have insurance).I used hellfords spring compressors, but I modified them a little so they gripped better. I pulled in the top half of the spring and wired it. Then pulled in the bottom half and wired it. I then pulled in the top half a bit more. The spring went in really easy but I had loads of movemnet in the bottom wishbone because I had pulled out everything.The spring is about 17" and if you can compress it to 14" then it will go in very easily. The wiring gives you a lot more room as the spring compressor get in the way a bit.