The Coil Spring Compressor I bought on eBay arrived today (it was really cheap with free shipping less then $19 but they charge CA sales tax). In some respects it lived up to what you might expect from a cheap item.

When I examined it the 4 plates are seem to be extremely strong but the heart of the compressor seemed rather light in comparison.

See attached pictures.

I found that just sitting in a Chair the compressor would only move about 2 and ¼ inches. So for investigative and lubrication purposes I decided to take it apart (you need a suitable internal snap-ring pliers for that). The works pull out of the top of the spring compressor.

I found that the 3 piece bearing had one of the races in backwards. Unscrewing the shaft and turning the race around solved that issue.

There was little lubrication on the treads and no grease on the bearings other then some light oil. The threads are what wee would call Acme Threads.

Even with it disassembled it would not screw all the way through as lit looked like it should be able to do.

I don’t see anything obvious holding it up but when I wiped the threaded shaft down it caught on the rage indicating that when the shaft was threaded there is burs on the outside of the threads. So I am thinking once I get the shaft degreased a little sandpaper or careful filing will deal with the burs.

I decided to take a File to remove the burs on the shaft and the shaft is hardened.. I am essentially removing the high spots off of the outside diameter that I hope will stop the binding. It also turned out the threads were rather roughly machined.

Having a harden shaft means the threads are less likely to pull but can make the shaft brittle (don‘t use an impact wrench turn it the sudden impact could crack it if the shaft is extremely hard)

Taking a file to the high spots worked but it still binds some and need more work but the full range of motion is there. I also did a little filing on the shaft threads to reduce the high spots.

Note that if you were in a shop and had the correct sized tap and die that would have been what you chased the threads with.

Eventually I got it to work smoothly and for it to move all of the way it was supposed to move.

Conclusion: If you get a spring compressor I recommend taking it apart if only to clean and lubricate it. In my case in taking it apart I found obvious defects that needed to be remedied.

I don’t have any job I need to use the compressor on and I don’t have the Car here in the City I live in so I will have to post back at another time on using it.

Attached Thumbnails

         

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Good review.

My friend bought one (for a lot more $$) that looks identical. He used it to remove the springs on my 300D. He could not get the plates far enough apart without the shaft binding, because the springs are slightly curved when in place.

He did get the job done, but it was a tight squeeze getting the springs in and out. In fact he could not get the slightly longer new Lesjofors springs with 18mm shim cap in. Had to go back to original cap that was probably 8 or 13mm but compressed.

I will pass on your review. He should probably check his compressor!

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Besides taking it apart to make sure it is assembled correctly there is the need to lubricate it inside. I mean the bearing area on mine had zero grease.

Also after you use it it also ought to be inspected to see if the threads are pulling or other damage.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Leave it up to the guys a on peachparts to rebuild a $20 spring compressor! Haha

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I think my health, safety and peace of mind are worth more than a $19 compressor...

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

The last thing I want to try is putting my life on the line to save a few bucks when in comes to working with the springs!!!!






mercedes spring compressor tool

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96 E300d

I have a choice. Before buying the one in this post I made 2 homemade compressors that work. One of them is the one in the attached picture made from 1 inch threaded rod.

Review of the choices:

Buy a real Klann spring compressor

Rent a Klann spring compressor

Buy one of the Chinese spring compressors

Rent a Chinese spring compressor

Make your own spring compressor

Pay someone else to do the job

Take you chance with a normal strut type spring compressor. (I can't remember the details on it but I did that the first time I removed a front spring. I do remember changing the Metric rod for lager US threaded rod. It worked on one side. When I did another one I made the mistake of trying to shift one of the compressors by yanking on the threaded rod and it slid and bent both compressors. After that I made my own, not the one in the attaché pic which I made so that I had a strong compressor to use on more than just a Mercedes.)

Attached Thumbnails

 

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Worse then using a $19 spring compressor is spending $60=$100 for the same spring compressor and thinking that because you spent more it is safer.

There was no markings at all on the wrapping, plastic Box or the actual tool parts. Not even made in China or where ever it was made. If there is a way to tell which ones are of better quality I have not read that in this forum.

The only thing marked was the number of the thrust bearing on one of the races.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

An other thread:
Trying to compile thoughts on coil spring compressors

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

Old Thread on removing the Front springs without a Special spring compressor
Front Spring Removal - As I thought, simple without special compressor

Home made spring compressor not mine
Homemade Spring Compressor - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Don't know if this site still functions or not.
20000 N internal spring compressor. KLANN KL-0025-1K relabeled as Miller 9150/1/2 for use by Chrysler dealerships on the Chrysler Crossfire.
Suitable for the long coil springs used on w123 and w126 Mercedes, which are a major challenge and can be a safety issue with external and other designs.
Very nice machining and cadmium plated spring discs
http://www.*********.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8634
Not sure why site address was blocked but in the * it should have 5 0 0 e b o a r d with no spaces.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel