I am not sure if this should be on here or a P.M., so please if I messed up, please let me know. I am not good when it comes to social norms/rules, but getting better thanks to those that have helped.

Anyway, I have a partially selfish reason for asking. Yes, some day I might have to touch the springs on the Mercedes, but right now have a Volvo 245 that I need to replace springs on. Some larger fellow made the driver's side lower than the passenger's! The front spring has a strut down its center but the rear doesn't. I was going to rent a compressor with aluminum arms, and now you have me very concerned. Is there a reasonable cost outer compressor with steel arms? How about one capable of compressing Mercedes springs?

RollGuy, thank you for this thread, B.T.W.! Now that I have it on the computer screen, can really understand all the parts involved. Tram said he replaced something and should be good to go, but on these older classics, one never knows! I thought the Volvo was fine, no clunks, and then in a couple thousand miles sounds like a black smith shop... It came from a cooler climate like the Mercedes, to the warm desert, so not sure if that had an affect. Now I have very little fear if I have to ever do it.

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.