Despite popular belief its needed. Atleast on my 85 it was. There is a tab on the frame that the carrier catches on when it comes down. I am happy to report Autozones compresor was up to the task for the rears.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

new pics yet and specs?

Not yet but the back end is up where it should be. The EBC green brake pads are AMAZING.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

A compressor should always be used when removing a coil spring.

winmutt, you say that the autozone compressor was fine for the rear. have you had any luck with it on the front springs. i need to do some front end work but not being able to find a mb type compressor for rental.
did you try to do the rears without a compressor at first? ive done it quite a few times with just a jack or two, but not on an mb. oh and im still alive.

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1980 300D

Please find the proper plate style compressor.. rent one from the forum.
Winmutt.. man.. bad example? How is the new 3-1 setup looking?

if you are really brave and resourceful you can do it without the mb spring compressor. that being said, I bought the correct one before the second attempt

__________________

1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

easier said than done my friend.

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1980 300D

Im not doubting your experience with your car wimmutt, but on my 82 I didn't need a compressor. I can pop my rear springs out in 30 minutes now. Now that means I have to drop the subframe at the front point, unbolt the shocks, disconnect the calipers etc, but it can be done.

What could be different between years? I know you have the performance springs, but they are shorter, no?

I was told by whunter this DIY applied to both the 126 and the 123, and indeed it does.

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W126RearShocksSprings

That being said, I need to get a comprsesor anyways for my fronts.

dd

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-------------------------------
'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

Yes most certainly use the plate type for the rear.

Talk about bad example, I first tried it with a single strut compressor (instead of using the two the kit provided). The rear springs are no where near the power of the front ones.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Ask and ye shall recieve.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

3-1..that looks great.

It'll look great when I get a paint job... To bad wifeys car gets sprayed first.....

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42