Spring compressor buying tip? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

benhogan · #16 02-01-2013, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

to the OP... you have two vehicles, both of which need the tool to work on the LCA... the problem with the clone tool on the 123 is documented above, the problem with the clone tool with the 124 is it's length. there is no hole on a 124, so to use the tool, you have to compress the tool, insert it into the spring pocket, and then expand the tool to reach the lower plate, then recompress the tool bringing the spring with it.
the clone has only the 16" screw, so it's a ROYAL pain to fit into the pocket, and remove...
the official tool is nice and short, and ALSO has the long screw for the 123/6 springs.

i don't have a 124. i only have the 201 and the 123, so I should be fine with 1 tool. right?

vstech · #17 02-01-2013, 10:19 AM

nope.
201 and 124 share the same problem... only the fender is closer to the spring making it harder still...

derburger · #18 02-01-2013, 10:31 AM

Here's what happens when a spring compressor fails on a W210:
The Dangers of Replacing Coil Springs on Your Vehicle - Bonus Clip - YouTube

Car&Driver doesn't say where they bought it...

Zacharias · #19 02-01-2013, 10:45 AM

I would say that pretty conclusively shuts down the "shall we shave the spring compressor versus the shock tower opening?" debate.

If that was the generic tool, I think we just found out what happens when you try to use it the 101st time....

vstech · #20 02-01-2013, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derburger

Here's what happens when a spring compressor fails on a W210:
The Dangers of Replacing Coil Springs on Your Vehicle - Bonus Clip - YouTube

Car&Driver doesn't say where they bought it...

... I find it odd that the spring is NOT compressed... it looks like he BEGAN to compress it, as the tool is in place, but it's just held there, not compressed. notice he has plenty of space to put his fingers in the coils of the spring.
when I'm working on a spring, I totally mash the coils together, makes it easier to remove the parts I'm working on... and if the compressor were to fail it would likely launch through the vehicle, and kill anything in it's path... that spring looked like it just fell over, and the compressor fell out.

vstech · #21 02-01-2013, 11:40 AM

I posted a comment... unlikely to get a response, but we'll see...

charmalu · #22 02-01-2013, 12:30 PM

You really have to double check and tripple check to make sure the center shaft is locked into the lower plate when tightening it up.

Iam wondering on the video if it wasn`t all the way locked in. sure wasn`t tightened all that much from what I saw.
The guy is a mechanic with a lot of years of experience and had the problem.

Reguardless, still scarry.

First time I used one of these was in PNP pulling a set of springs out of a 240D. with the cars raised up on those stands, the suspention just hangs down, and the springs are in a curve. Jacks are not allowed in the yards.

I hand filed down the hole and finally got it in. but the shaft is straight, and trying to line up the lower plate was a pain. got it part way in and but then it got wedged in the spring. couldn`t get anything to move.

It was getting late and I sure wasn`t going to leave my new compressor in PNP over night.

Sometimes you can find a jack in one of the cars, but not that day. well I finally got it out with the spring and quickly decompressed it. was a scarry moment in my life.

Even at home with jacks etc... when I removed the springs on the 85, I had the top plate as far up as I could get it and lower coil as low and still see to get it locked in properly. with the spring fully compressed, it wouldn`t come out, w/o some prying. I wasn`t going to do that, so with a jack under the lower control arm, I removed the nut at the upper Control Arm and lowered it down to clear. wasn`t much.

We are a bunch of amatures, some more than others. and some very skilled mechanics with years of experience. bottom line is Safety safety Safety and double check what you are doing.

Charlie