Those idiots should be fired. Springs are no joke and people are killed by exactly this kind of monkeying around with them.

The job is not so scary with a proper spring compressor. Avoid the low budget type that require you to alternately tighten one side and then the other. Those are scary for sure.

I bought a used Snap On spring compressor like the one pictured for under $100 used on craigslist. It is impact safe, and it compresses the spring equally from both sides at once. I grab the spring from the 2nd coil in from either end, not from the very last coil like you see in the photo. I've done many spring strut jobs with this Snap On compressor and the tool works great, it's smooth and consistent and inspires confidence, unlike the scary low budget ones.

Note the photo is not mine, its a random one from the internet.

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1998 E300 turbodiesel

America's Rights and Freedoms Are Not The Enemy!

This is the MB type spring compressor not to get. You want the one with the plates that are completely round, not one shape like a "C".

The quick video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY56ib3I-ew


The full video. The failure starts at about 10 minute mark and then they show you the type of compressor they are using.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLVvS6CuNlQ


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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

Imagine that was an old W123 or W126 diesel, christ! Lucky his hand didn't get smashed.

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1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

I watched most of that series on a lazy binge watch day. Younger dude reminds me of the Bob Ross character from the Joy Of Tatooing skit on Hardcore TV on HBO in the '90s. Search for it on YouTube if you're so inclined.

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Watch him go!!! link

#dontdealwithkahlil

Rent the proper Klann compressor... heck, buy it. $900 is cheap compared to medical and/or funeral expenses.

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1991 300D 2.5 "Rocinante"
2002 Golf TDI "Teen Spirit"
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1984 300D
1966 Mustang I6 3sp
1985 Mazda RX-7 GSLSE
1982 Toyota Supra
1977 Datsun 280z
1971 Datsun 240z

Wishing I could afford $900 ~ I just blew the saved paint budget for two cars on the engine and tranny for my '82 240D .

I'd buy that Snap-On tool in a heart beat, I've never seen one for sale except new on the tool truck .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

I REALLY need to find my KLANN compressor so I can rent it out again...

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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!

Yes, you do... I'm going to need to rent it before the end of summer...

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1991 300D 2.5 "Rocinante"
2002 Golf TDI "Teen Spirit"
--------------------
1984 300D
1966 Mustang I6 3sp
1985 Mazda RX-7 GSLSE
1982 Toyota Supra
1977 Datsun 280z
1971 Datsun 240z