Spring compressor idea
 

Anybody ever tried one of these? Looks pretty dang burly.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/pho...7899/47890.gif

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47890

id rather stick to something that is known to work such as the klann clone or the actuall mercedes version... if every tool i buy from HF breaks... im putting my money on that one failing


plus i think that one is for coil overs.. the springs on the w123 sit in a little bucket on the front arms and on the rear trailing arms.. i doubt that would fit

I dunno. Rated at 3/4 ton. I might grab one (Harbor Freight here in town) and see if it'll actually fit between the coils.

If it looks the least bit sketchy, I'll bag the idea and return the tool.

I was working at a shop one day when a improperly clamped strut spring let go. No human injuries, but the inner fender of that Subie certainly had it's feelings hurt.

I'll let you guys know what I find.

One import attribute of the Klann/Baum tool: it's safe

I'd be concerned about this one slipping. What is holding it to the coil spring??

This design is similar to the HAZET tool.

Dude, after almost losing my face to a crappy spring compressor, I bought the Klann clone. It was worth every penny. If you plan on owning benzes for any extended period, you might as well buy the right tool.

I read somewhere on this forum that it takes 2100 pounds to compress a benz spring 6 inches, I don't think that the 3/4 ton rating will cut it.

You read correct. The typical M/B spring rate is 340 lb./in. Six inches is a bit much......usually you can get by with about 4-5".

Got a link on it?

This is the one that I bought.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/J-1801-Strut-Coil-Spring-Compressor-For-Mercedes-Benz_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35625QQihZ019QQitemZ290049469368QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

Ah okay, I thought there was one for less cash than the $200 one.

I'm going to buy that for sure and STILL up in the air if I should plunk down for the MB ball joint tool. Does it press and remove? :confused:

The Harbor Freight here in town had one (Display -- not for sale). The guy let me take one of the spring perches out to check it on my car. No way will it fit.

Interesting concept, though. I think with the right hydraulic ram and some custom fabbed spring perches, I could make one of these for about a couple hundred more than I could get the Klann clones!

Doubt I'll buy the clones. Hopefully after I get all the suspension components changed out on my car, that'll be it for a long while. I'll just use the tool rental program here in the forum.

And speaking of Harbor Freight. Geez I need to stay outta that place. I could have easily spent five grand in there this afternoon.

The biggest factor that I see against it is the fact that it pulls from only one side.The other factor is that it's from Harbor Freight. I'm sorry but I have bought (and disposed of) several tools from them and quality is not their forte. It may do the job once and then have a seal failure.

Now if it was made by a more reputable company and pulled from the center, like the Klann, it would be worth consideration.

Have you ever gone dumpster diving at HF?:D Ohhhh the things you can find.:eek:

All broken, I would assume? That's a disturbingly interesting thought, though! :D