JTC Auto Tools 1801 spring compressor, anyone use one?
 

JTC Auto Tools 1801 spring compressor, anyone use one? I need to do some front lower ball joints on my 1987 300td and I have access to this as a spring compressor. I was wondering if anyone had any issues with this particular unit and also wondering if it would work on a W123?


Mercedes Benz Coil Spring Compressor Repair Tools Set 1801 | eBay

I haven't used them on a 123, but they will work for your 124.

I've used it on my W126, and was happy with it. Now that almost all suspension parts are made in China, you might want to buy one and hold on to it.

I used one similar on a 126. It was sufficient. There was a caution on the forum to lube the screw. It is under much pressure. You need as much bite as you can get on the spring. Next time I'll compress the spring with the car weight, install the compressor then lower the hub and remove spring.

Will probably complete one side and not have to decompress the spring. Either make sure eccentric bolt turns freely or buy 2 in case you have to cut them out. Ball joints are a pita to install. BFH easily removes them. Lower control arm bushings are also a challenge. Buy 1 extra to ruin during the learning curve.

Do everything that requires or is easier with spring removed. OK to skip tie rods if good. They are cake compared to the rest. Use Lemforder parts only. Car will drive like a Mercedes when finished and aligned. My alignment was so far off even though I measured before that I would have towed except the alignment shop is very close.

Take pics for reference.

I think that no one knows if the Made in China Spring Compressors are all made by one Factory and Boxed differently or they are made by several different Factories.

If they are made by different Factories no one has recorded which ones held up better than the others.

Hunter is the only one that used the China Spring Compressor enough to comment on them and I am guessing he used the one he bought and did not test several of them to see if there was any differences.

I have used it a few times already works fine jn my opinion.

I agree. These are cheap copies of unknown quality. Fortunately, mine heald for 2 front 126 springs. I have at most 6 to go.

Ditto junk and Otto!
Have used the tool for all springs on my 84 SD. Replaced with lesfordors AND BILSTEINS hd units. Tool seems safe and easy to manipulate in place, after a learning curve that is. Took pics, and posted in benzworld under lesrrt. Could never get pics to load here. Good luck be careful:eek:

I am not saying they are not save for the average user.

Hunter said he got about 50 uses out of his china one before it cause issues and the real Klann one has never had issues despite having been used many times more. There is a thread on that someplace.

Much ado about nothing. I've used mine four or five times with no problem, other than my own learning curve. For the typical shade tree user, fifty uses would be two lifetimes worth.

Well the question was ask and an attempts were made to answer the qutestion.

One Member did have theirs fail after a few uses; but that is not common.
But, there is really only 3 choices of you want to buy one Klann, SPX also makes one wich is calimed to be a Klann one with SPX on it or the Chinese ones.

Myself and a few other members have made their own Spring Compressors that also do the job safely.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/general-information/239902-home-made-special-tools-where-members-can-share-how-they-made-special-tools.html

One thing I have noticed on eBay is there seems to be more Sellers of the China? Spring Compressor and that the Price has gone down.

What is the reduction in price due to? I don't know.