I am fast approaching the need to rent a Klann spring compressor for some front end R&R on my 300CD.

The spring perch holes on my car are exactly 44mm diameter.

Reason I mention this is that I recently purchased a spring compressor from ZDMAK, however it was just over 45mm diameter - too wide to fit thru the spring perch holes.
I do not plan on grinding the holes any bigger - so the unused tool went back for a refund.

My research tells me that the 'Klann clones' coming out of Taiwan are all a tad too large for the W123 front spring perches, hence the request for a Klann

Appreciate any/all help.

Cheers!

__________________
Neil.


1991 190E 2.6 170k
1995 E320CA 57k
1999 Chevy Tahoe 98k
2000 R1150GS 45k
1983 300CD 178k - sold, but not forgotten

I bought one off of ebay, a different maker than this one for my W210, but really looks the same. I could double check the mfg. No need for the $700 Klann (some will not like that comment).

When I used mine I literally had the spring out, sitting on the floor in under 10 minutes and that involved a learning curve on a new tool. One of the best things I have bought. With that I am not afraid of any front end work now.

http://http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1801-Mercedes-Benz-Strut-Coil-Spring-Compressor-Tool_W0QQitemZ290199133075QQcmdZViewItem

What is it $175?

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raMBow

1999 E300DT Obsydian Black Metallic, Heated Full Leather Parchment options, E2, K2, 136,000+, best 36.5 mpg - GP's 12-04 & 11-12 Zero Stuck
2010 Honda Odyssey - The BrideMobile - best 26.5
(2) 2005 Honday Accord- (1 -Corporate 1 - Personal) - 110,000 4-cyl 30mpg
2000 VW Golf GLS TDI, Upsolute Chip (sold to Brother, now 300+k on it) 48.5 mpg like clock work
1987 Honda CRX HF - Sold 87,000 always over 50 mpg Max 67 mpg

I did. It didn't fit, so I returned it.

__________________
Neil.


1991 190E 2.6 170k
1995 E320CA 57k
1999 Chevy Tahoe 98k
2000 R1150GS 45k
1983 300CD 178k - sold, but not forgotten

I have the JTC clone, which like you found didn't fit through the holes. However, in looking at it, it wasn't that the tool was too large, but that the laminations of sheet metal didn't align exactly and thus made the hole a tad smaller than designed. The tool fit fine through the top layer but then the next one was offset by just enough it couldn't fit past it too.

I can understand your desire to not grind a couple of mm off the holes, but are you certain the Klann brand one won't have the same problem?

__________________
'83 300DTurbo http://badges.fuelly.com/images/smallsig-us/318559.png

Broadband: more lies faster.

You raise a good point. No, I cannot be sure. But here's some additional background info.

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to talk with Steve at SG-Motorsports in WA.
Steve runs an indy MB shop and sells JTC 1801 compressors on eBay. He has used a JTC 1801 in his shop for the last 3 years without problem - never needed to grind the spring perch hole on a W-123, and said he would never contemplate doing that.
While we were on the phone, he compared his 3 year old shop JTC 1801 with two brand new compressors (a recent shipment from JTC Taiwan). Well, whadaya know - the new tools were wider by about 2.5mm

Steve has a theory that JTC recently re-designed the compressor - perhaps due to a change in bearing supplier.

Incidentaly, the sheet metal laminations line up great around my spring perch holes. Don't want to bugger it up or compromise anything by grinding....

Cheers!

__________________
Neil.


1991 190E 2.6 170k
1995 E320CA 57k
1999 Chevy Tahoe 98k
2000 R1150GS 45k
1983 300CD 178k - sold, but not forgotten

Wow that is too bad. There has to be a proper model out there for you.

I was always totally afraid of taking the spings out, but this type of tool worked wonders for me!

__________________
raMBow

1999 E300DT Obsydian Black Metallic, Heated Full Leather Parchment options, E2, K2, 136,000+, best 36.5 mpg - GP's 12-04 & 11-12 Zero Stuck
2010 Honda Odyssey - The BrideMobile - best 26.5
(2) 2005 Honday Accord- (1 -Corporate 1 - Personal) - 110,000 4-cyl 30mpg
2000 VW Golf GLS TDI, Upsolute Chip (sold to Brother, now 300+k on it) 48.5 mpg like clock work
1987 Honda CRX HF - Sold 87,000 always over 50 mpg Max 67 mpg

Here is the supplier that I used.

They were very helpful. Probably the same stuff. Maybe able to call and verify exact measurements with them.

As expensive as the Klann's are someone would have to be very "brave" to loan it to someone across the country. Seems like one or a clone was lost off of here doing that.

http://http://www.zdmak.com/wbstore/main.asp?LowCt=0&action=cat&cat=MERCEDES%20TOOLS

__________________
raMBow

1999 E300DT Obsydian Black Metallic, Heated Full Leather Parchment options, E2, K2, 136,000+, best 36.5 mpg - GP's 12-04 & 11-12 Zero Stuck
2010 Honda Odyssey - The BrideMobile - best 26.5
(2) 2005 Honday Accord- (1 -Corporate 1 - Personal) - 110,000 4-cyl 30mpg
2000 VW Golf GLS TDI, Upsolute Chip (sold to Brother, now 300+k on it) 48.5 mpg like clock work
1987 Honda CRX HF - Sold 87,000 always over 50 mpg Max 67 mpg

I only wish the compressor from ZDMAK would have worked for me too. It appears to be a quality product. Very well made. But it's on it's way back - unused - for a refund....

__________________
Neil.


1991 190E 2.6 170k
1995 E320CA 57k
1999 Chevy Tahoe 98k
2000 R1150GS 45k
1983 300CD 178k - sold, but not forgotten

someone I heard with the w123 reamed out the perch holes for the zdmak compressor, but I dont like tha tidea.

Where in ca are you?

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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

PM sent.

__________________
Neil.


1991 190E 2.6 170k
1995 E320CA 57k
1999 Chevy Tahoe 98k
2000 R1150GS 45k
1983 300CD 178k - sold, but not forgotten