Be afraid ,be very afraid. Spring compressor failure ,no one hurt ,just their pride. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chasinthesun · #1 05-28-2013, 11:42 AM

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

rs899 · #2 05-28-2013, 11:53 AM

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

DeliveryValve · #3 05-28-2013, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs899

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.

.

JamesDean · #4 05-28-2013, 12:17 PM

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!

rs899 · #5 05-28-2013, 12:41 PM

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...

chasinthesun · #6 05-28-2013, 12:41 PM

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

w123fanman · #7 05-28-2013, 02:41 PM

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

JamesDean · #8 05-28-2013, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w123fanman

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.

benhogan · #9 05-28-2013, 03:00 PM

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

dude99 · #10 05-28-2013, 10:49 PM

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....

Zacharias · #11 05-29-2013, 12:33 AM

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....?

JamesDean · #12 05-29-2013, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude99

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 god damn instructions....

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...

winmutt · #13 05-29-2013, 09:42 AM

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

vstech · #14 05-30-2013, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

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

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.

vstech · #15 05-29-2013, 10:47 AM

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...