I think the reason with MB springs is two fold...

One, the springs are small diameter springs, and as such, they need to compress a LOT to hold the car... Also, the coils are very close together, not much room for external teeth to grab.

Two, the springs sit inside a deep pocket up top, so the coils nearly have to touch to clear the pocket.

On most American cars with coil springs, the lower control arm can lower enough to clear the spring without compressing at all, unless it's a McPherson Strut, and they don't have much pressure on them, because the strut has a lot of pressure... So the coil is very weak.

Mb has the spring deal with the entire weight of the vehicle, and the travel rate fully loaded.

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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!

It helps to mark the shaft where the nubs are to help with aligning in the bottom plate. I marked mine after realizing that I wasn't locked into the bottom plate. Fortunately there wasn't a great load either.

Also greasing the shaft helps the tightening process very much. It doesn't take a lot of grease but I grease for every job which has been defined as 2 springs each on 2 SDs.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

We might not want to overlook the possibility of improper tools causing a mark on the spring.
I once worked at a manufacturer who had to make certain that there were no toolmarks in the structure that could lead to possible future structural damage by being a location where stress in the structure could lead to fatigue cracking. In our case, this could be a spring failure at a later date, and is a possible cause of some reported W123 "random" spring breaks, where a car sitting unused has the spring suddenly break for no apparent reason.
The correct way to work with the spring is only to compress with the proper tool. There are no instructions for heavy prying, hammering, or pounding on the spring. There are no substitutions for the correct tool because of the method that is used to compress the spring, which will cause no "toolmarks".
A "grocery store" variety spring compressor cannot be used as it is not designed to do the W123, as the W123 is above and beyond the safe intended use of the tool.
I will be ordering a Klann-type spring compressor so get what little "peace of mind" I can get in just about a week. It will be stressful enough torquing that spring down. For the extra "expense", I can buy peace of mind for a few dollars, so I can return and post my survival story, without a body cast or bandaids. Priceless.

The right tool is worth it!

snapped_bolt

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'81 240D For now, a good place to borrow new parts
'80 300TD Probably will be put back into service!
'79 240D BACK IN SERVICE SINCE 09/16; limited use, oil leak. Guide pin r/sealed/replaced. Still a leak. Front crank seal....

I have to admit that the first four springs (two cars) I did, were done with the outer style spring compressors. I was able to do them successfully, but not without saying many prayers. I have since purchased an inside compressor, and feel much better about it the times I have used it. Even with the proper compressor, removing the loaded spring and compressor feels like I am carrying a live land mine or sweaty dynamite . I take it out with a big pair of pliers, and set it down easy and pointed away from me.....Rich

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All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

I had to do this job on my E300. It is straightforward and relatively safe with the proper Klann tool and reasonable caution. I would never try to improvise on this job as there is just too much stored energy.

It's perfectly fine to grasp the compressed spring in the center of the coils so long as you are using the proper tool, the tool has not been abused, and the tabs are properly locked on the disks.

Just be sure to never point the rod towards yourself or others.

Always set the spring down gently (never drop or throw it) with the rod pointing in a safe direction away from the work area.

When initially loading up the tool, stop cranking when the tension starts picking up. Inspect both top and bottom, with a mirror and flashlight if necessary, to ensure the tabs are locked correctly in the disks before proceeding.

If the spring compressor lets go all the energy will go out along the axis. Treat it like a loaded gun.

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

Great info Jay Bob.


Charlie

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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

See post #15. On a W123 there is plenty of space to use generic spring compressors but you can see the bending.

In the thumbnail pic is one I made from 1 inch threaded rod that worked OK with the exception that the hook that slides tends to flatten the threads on one side. It is likely ACME threads would be a better choice as the ACME threads do not come to a point but are flat on the outer surface.

I made the big hooked Spring Compressor so I could use it on non-Mercedes vehicles.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

ACME, that's what coyote buys to use against roadrunner.

Thank you all for the responses! It's all very helpful and interesting... and gives me more respect for the car and the tool.

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

Sorry in post 22 I was supposed to have posted a link showing the generic spring compressor bending. Now I don't know where the link is.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

And he always looses.



Charlie

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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

you may still want a standard exterior spring clamp around when you do the job as it can be helpful to straighten the spring out a bit for removal for the front.
this thread has a pic of what im talking about on the last page

Front COIL Spring Snapped 1983 240D

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