I've decided to take the plunge and buy my own spring compressor. There seems to be just 2 prices. $169 or $500. Will the cheaper one pretty much do the trick? Obviously, it will not be a tool that will be used often so it should be fine, right?

I need to redo all the front end rubber on the w123. The cost of paying someone to do it is a multiple of the cost of the parts and the spring compressor.

__________________
Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

Yes.

Yes.

Some have complained that the cheap version does not fit in the hole for the front springs on the w123.

Solution: grind the body of the tool down until it fits, not the car side.

Unless you were the design engineer for the tool, this is not recommended. You have no idea on how much strength you are sacrificing.

I agree with Brian. All I needed to do was take a the paint off of the inside of the shock tower access hole to use my cheap(er) spring compressor. I wouldn’t want to mess with the integrity of the tool.

__________________
1982 300TDT
1991 190D
2022 Metris

Hunter has both and has apparently used the Cheaper one enough; had some comments on the Cheaper Tool.
The real Klann Tool apparently can be used like forever but after X amount of compression the Cheaper ones wear out. But the X amount if I remember was over 100+ compressions. Way more then the Average Person would use it for.

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I don't think the knock off of the tool had a design engineer. Plus its not seriously gouging the metal. Its such a minuscule amount of material being removed I highly doubt it would compromise the strength of the tool.

Do whatever you'd like. Remove paint, grind on the tool, spend $500.. I really do not care

Thinking logically in this case, why do you feel that its is better to alter the tool rather the shock tower?

__________________
1982 300TDT
1991 190D
2022 Metris

What about the integrity of the shock tower?

Why alter every car that comes in the garage when you can just alter one tool?

__________________
What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius

Did you get an estimate, by any chance? Just wondering what shops list for the total labour.

Anyone have that info? I always hear how happy people are to have saved all the cash by DIYing the job, but I don't recall ever hearing actual numbers.

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

You might be right.

............willing to bet your life on it.........??

Sure why not

Some people are rather anal retentive when it comes to their cars. You can sand away the layer of paint that is making the tool not fit and then reveal.
In all honesty do whatever floats your boat. You can probably rent the official tool from someone on the forum and not even worry.

I use the Cloned tool and it works very well. On a w126 you do not have to alter the shock mount hole. However on the W123 you will. looking down inside the shock mount hole, there is a inner piece of sheet metal that has be filed back by a small amount. then the tool will fit into the hole. It really isn`t that big a deal.

I started by using a 1/2 round file, then went to using the electric drill and a bit that was like a file.

It really isn`t going to alter the integrity of the car. When it come to altering the tool....AHHHH....NO.

After wards, treat the bare metal with POR.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

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.

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!