Be afraid ,be very afraid. Spring compressor failure ,no one hurt ,just their pride.
 

This is what happens when a coil spring compressor fails - Autoblog
Rent the right tool for mercdes 123 here from the rental program .

Yeah, except that that WAS the right spring compressor to use and they f'd it up....

That was the correct style, but the question is what brand was it? A generic clone? And how many times has that tool been used? Perhaps it has been over used. Not really sure in that number.


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I've seen this video before!

1) These guys didnt use it properly.

2) They didn't compress that spring nearly enough.

3) There was no need to take all the other parts out.

4) Really? You're going to man handle the spring compressor and beat up on it like that? Its only holding back oodles of stored energy that could possibly be deployed at you...

5) I really didn't see the spring compressor fail. They showed no shots of it in a "broken" state. So I cannot say the compressor failed because of metal fatigue or because they incorrectly used or, maybe it wasn't fully engaged..maybe the plates weren't fully locked...

I have one of the Klann Clones that you can get for $300 on eBay. I've used it on my 126 300SD and 124 300D. This week I'll be using it on my 126 420SEL.

Rule #1: Respect the compressor.
Rule #2: Triple check everything before compressing/decompressing.
Rule #3: Avoid aiming the compressed spring at your body.
Rule #4: Don't beat up on the thing!

I leant my Klann clone to my buddy to fix his 240D. He somehow used it to compress the spring and left it compressed and hanging in the chassis while he did hours of work below. Talk about the Sword of Damocles...

When they slowed the video down you could see a piece of shrapnel fly between both of them,close call .

The Dangers of Replacing Coil Springs on Your Vehicle - Full Clip - YouTube here is the full clip, starting at where it went wrong. Maybe they are using a cheap tool, I wouldn't be the expert, but this gives a bit more info on what went wrong.
For added safety, this would seem to be a good idea: How to compress a coil spring with ratchet straps - YouTube

They said it "fell off"....which means they didnt have it properly positioned or compressed. They might not have had the plates aligned properly. I did this the first time with my 124.

I had the spring at about the same level of compression that they did. I did not have the entire suspension torn apart, just the spring in its normal space, slightly compressed.

As I tightened down the compressor popped as the top plate released. Certainly scared the crap out of me! Never will make that mistake again.

soooo...i was thinking of getting the Klann clone on Ebay. Bad idea?

I've got one. No complaints here. Its good for our hobby useage but I would not buy one for daily use in a shop.

If the clone is similar to the one shown on post #7 and in this pic in which one of the plates has an open slot to slide the plate in sideways, run away!

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1369769902



You need this type with the plates closed to prevent it to slip out.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1369769982



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I didn't even notice that it was that type...That's not the right tool at all then.

This is the one I bought:
Mercedes Benz Coil Spring Compressor Repair Tool Set Free Shipping | eBay

Yep, that is the safer designed clone.


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I have this same one, but got it off CL for $75 and never been used. :D

You still have to make double sure the lower plate is locked in good and tight with the three fingers on the Rod.

I believe Roy said these clone compressors are good for about 100 uses. so for us DIY selfers, not a problem.
Wish I could remember what thread I read that on.

Charlie

DITTO!

Even with the correct compressor, there were a multitude of mistakes in that video. "Professionals?" Egad!

NEVER, pry on a compressed spring. If you can't just lift it out, you don't have it compressed enough. (For better safety, compress it only slightly and tap it with a rubber mallet to make sure everything is seated on the compressor, BEFORE taking everything apart.)

Even the installation was a nightmare waiting to happen. Compressing the spring while resting the end against his thigh? Can we say broken femur? or possibly crippled for life?:eek:

Too bad they didn't use common sense and show the correct way the remove/install the spring.:mad: Personally, they should have either deleted that video and done it correctly or shown how to do it correctly at the end.

seems like the ones sold on ebay have the proper lip.

next question...it says the hole has to be enlarged? how much bigger does the hole need to be? do you use a dremel tool? how do you make a hole bigger? maybe a file?

The mere fact that he stated that he didn't read the instructions and that he has never used a compressor like that before is a statement of the stupidity here. I don't care how much experience you have as a mechanic, when your dealing with a new tool and that much force, read the %^$*^*(!! instructions....

In any trade, be it mechanics or construction or whatever, the biggest danger (not only to the individual, but to others around them) can be the "I've been doin' this stuff 25 years and I don't need to read no damn instructions or follow no stupid procedures" guy.

I had a training session once from a veteran personal safety instructor in law enforcement who said that, truth be told, something like 80 percent of deaths and serious injuries to police officers here in Canada were due to failure to follow basic procedures and training not only on things like potentially dangerous calls, but during routine street operations like traffic stops -- and, and I mean incredibly basic (the presentation was given with actual case studies). Of course they don't mention that when they hand the crisply folded flag to the widow and children....

Of course, for a real jaw-dropper, visit one of the websites where they document the events leading up to commercial aviation disasters -- especially those where they have cockpit voice recorder transcriptions. Some are sad and unavoidable. Others are quite incredible, in terms of disregard for procedures, training and even basic common sense.

Anyway, looping back to the original topic: one has to wonder... if this is how those guys work with a camera rolling... well....?

Dont ever hit the compressor. That is why they tell you not to use air tools...

THIS is why I have the OFFICIAL KLANN TOOL in my rental list...

WAAAAAAAAY better than the clone, much better steel, and the fit is perfect on all cars.

I also have the clone, but I throw it away after 50 uses...

What ticks me off about the video is obviously being directed to a DIY audience, it is loaded with so much lack of common sense and extreme danger. Folks who DIY need to be made aware of the proper, safe way to handle these potentially hazardous jobs.

Some things we learn from experience, others we definitely don't need the experience, if at all possible. DIY'ers usually only do these jobs once and not often more that that. Face it, most of us work alone on these projects and being made aware of why certain techniques are observed would keep many of us from being severely hurt.

That is one of the many reasons I like this forum. Members are willing to point out how to do these risky jobs safely and with the correct tools.

I'm just saying.....those of us in the leaf spring world don't have these problems :D

What idiots. I never watched the whole video..couldn't stand to..did they really admit to not reading the instructions?

I dont want them working on my cars...

:eek::confused::eek::confused:

When we did my front suspension on the wagon, it was reassuring to have a quality tool for such a task.

However we still approached the task with the utmost respect it deserved.

I have to work around high energy electrical systems at work, this is just as dangerous.

Most important is to stay out of the "line of fire" at all times.

Man... Those idiots need therapy! I ALWAYS compress the spring so it FREELY comes out of the car. if it's binding anywhere, it's not compressed properly! no hammers or prybars of ANY KIND allowed anywhere near the compressed spring.

It is the W123 that need to be enlarged a bit. the W126 has a larger hole and doesn`t have the problem.

Look in the hole and you will notice an inner piece of sheet metal. It is this piece that needs to be taken back a little.
First time I used a 1/2 round File, took me a while, but I was in PNP. At home I used a Bit in my electric Drill that looked like a Rat Tail File. then used a 1/2 round File to smooth the edges, and treated the exposed metal with POR.

The Klann tool fits the hole w/o a problem. It is the After Market Tool that is a bit larger, like the E-Bay tool.

Charlie