On the verge of serius spring compressor accident. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 10-18-2003, 09:55 PM

I need some advice ASAP!

Here is the situation:

I am doing a complete suspension overhaul on my 72 diesel. I have succesfully replaced the front shocks, and am working on the rear now. Since the back end was sagging considerably, I opted for a new set of springs and shocks for the rear.

I borrowed a Klaan style disc compressor from a Mercedes shop. The discs were not the correct size for the spring, but I stupidly used it anyway. I removed the right spring and reinstalled the new spring with little difficulty.

On the other side, however, I experienced a problem. During removal of the second spring, one of the plates slipped and the spring popped back into the control arm on both sides. I was scared ****less, and returned the compressor to the garage.

Today I bought one of these:

I used it to remove the spring with no problems. I unscrewed it, and began to compress the next spring for installation. I got it all the way tight, when the hooks slipped. Now, the hooks seem to be barely gripping the coils on one side of the spring. The spring is almost fully compressed, but bulging from one side. One side of the spring is more compressed than the other, and the compressor rod is not going down the center of the spring anymore.

I am once again very, very scared to touch the spring, because I dont know if it might pop out of the compressor. I swear I heard a couple slight popping noises coming from it, as I sat on the other side of the garage pondering. I think it might slowly be working itself free.

The spring is sitting compressed between a couple tires, inside my garage, with cars on two sides.

My questions:

If it breaks free, what is going to happen? Should I be worried about parts flying through walls and injuring people in neighboring buildings?

What is a safe way to decompress it, assuming it doesnt work its way free overnight?

Any tips and advice greatly appreciated.

GottaDiesel · #2 10-18-2003, 10:17 PM

Mind you, I have little clue... so I'm just brainstorming, trying to help.

The best I figure is you need to get that spring compressed SAFELY before you do anything. Now the problem is, you have to handle it in order to do so, and that's the part that is scary...

So... step one, how to hande safely...

I'd walk over to it (careful) and take some measurements. Figure out what you can make out of wood or something to "seat" the setup in... so that if it does cut loose, you're ok.

maybe something made with wood and threaded rod... I've got the idea in my head -- a wood frame, with threaded rod so you can adjust it. Then once you have it safe and sound you can wrangle the tool off.

Again, I'm just throwing ideas around -- maybe that'll get somebody else's juices flowing.

Good Luck

Wasuchi · #3 10-18-2003, 10:29 PM

The only thing I can think of is to tie something or somethings heavy to it (as close as possible to it) to hopefully slow it down if it pops out. I would do this very carefully and disturb it as little as possible in the process. Then I don't know what you should do other than take cover if you poke at it with a stick or something. I hope someone has better ideas than me!

kerry · #4 10-18-2003, 10:52 PM

This reminds me of my youth when we used to inflate split rim truck tires. We used to attach the air hose turn the tire upside down and turn on the air from twenty feet away in case the locking ring did not hold. Later, they invented cages in which the tires were placed before inflating so that if they blew apart, the cage contained the pieces.

I think some similar kind of cage is what you need. It should be steel with wide enough slats so you can slowly undo the compressor, yet sturdy enough that if if breaks loose, the cage won't blow to bits. You may want to check with a tire shop to see if they have a cage you can borrow. I suspect the slots may be too wide, but possibly not.

Even with the cage, I'd keep a change of underwear handy.

jbaj007 · #5 10-18-2003, 11:02 PM

Lasso it with a looong rope and throw a mattress over it. Then drag the spring and matress around the alley 'til it pops. Might work, might not. Uncharted ground here.

kashbaugh · #6 10-18-2003, 11:08 PM

You _could_ go to the local McParts and get a couple - as in two - motorcycle tiedowns. These are straps made with nylon or rayon or some other miracle-lon fabric and have big hooks on the ends and some type of latching/ratcheting mechanism. The manly ones have a test strength of thousands of pounds and will hold a 1500 lb. motorcycle right where you put it!

Take these two straps and (gently) run them through the center of the spring, then hook them together and rachet them down. Do one on either side of the spring. This will tie it in the compressed position so you can release the current compression tool and install a ?better? one.

I'm not sure how big the spring you are working with is, but if it is _really_ big - more than 6 or 7 inches in diameter, you might use three straps.

Luck!
kma

#7 10-18-2003, 11:47 PM

You could call a few mechanic shops, especially ones that specialize in suspensions. Some of them might just have the tools and skills to properly dispose of this very dangerous situation.
It's amazing the power these things can have to hold up a 2 ton car plus load and have so much left.

Cressida · #8 10-19-2003, 10:56 AM

I'd go rent, buy or get on loan a set of regular outside spring compressors and carefully put them on the outside of the spring. Tighten just enough for attachment then you could start to loosen your original spring compressor to re-align them and start over.

Avoid standing towards the ends of the spring. If this thing let's go you will not have any chance to get away. I read on a thread here (or somewhere) where someone had a problem like this and called the fire department. They determined the only safe way out was to set the thing in concrete and bury it!

dabenz · #9 10-19-2003, 11:03 AM

Cazzzidy, it's now the next day and I hope you're OK. At this point forget about keeping things undamaged; personnel safety comes first. I'm assuming the spring is out of the car and laying on the floor. Keep people out of the garage and find a piece of steel schedule 40 pipe big enough to slide the spring into. Have one end welded shut with 1/4in plate, the other end a plate with hooks on the plate and the pipe. It will be heavy. Then think like the bomb squad: you've got to get the spring into the pipe and the pipe "lid" closed and chained down via those hooks. Those pipe ends should have a hole big enough for sockets so you can free the compressor. Now that I think of it, a call to the bomb squad may not be a bad idea as they have the protective clothing. Don't fool around here. Your life is worth more than the $200 it will cost to do it safely.

TX76513 · #10 10-19-2003, 11:08 AM

I thought these kind of events only happened in my garage

wolfgang · #11 10-19-2003, 11:19 AM

I might be wrong since it was more than a while ago but I seem to remember replacing springs in a 73 220D by using jacks and unbolting the rear differential from the body then lowering the whole thing . The car body is raised on stands for clearance. It was a very simple operation.

Kyle Blackmore · #12 10-19-2003, 01:19 PM

In autoshop at highschool some fool let a spring from a 60's T-bird loose and it flew straight up 30' hit the ceiling and came down right beside where I was stripping an engine

.If you're still playing with this ticking time bomb wrap and secure a chain around it while s l o w l y letting the tension off with the compressor. Good luck.

kashbaugh · #13 10-19-2003, 01:30 PM

A chain - or two - would be even better than my suggestion of motorcycle tiedowns. But when I had this problem with the struts on my Porsche I couldn't find any chain. McParts had the tiedowns fairly cheap.

And now I can trailer my scooter. If I get a trailer.

There is a LOT of kinetic energy stored there, so be CAREFUL!!!!

kma

#14 10-19-2003, 04:04 PM

Thanks for all the wonderful replies!

I have checked in on the spring yesterday and today, and as far as I can tell, it has not moved in any way. The compressor is in the same position I left it.

I hope to take a picture of it and post it here in the next hours.

As for a solution, here are my thoughts based on the responses:

Wrapping the spring in chains or tiedowns seems to be a great idea, but I am hesitant to handle the spring as much as I would need to to get it secured. I am still thinking about this one.

Dragging it around under a mattress is also a cute idea. A little dangerous though, especially since I need to get it somewhere isolated. I have also heard of people taking it to an empty parking lot and throwing it into the air and running -- hoping the impact would jar it free and it would release its energy in a safe enviorment.

Clamps are good. I like the idea of using a macpherson spring compressor (two clamps outside the spring) to secure it and handle it.

Ultimatly though, I like the idea of building a canister of heavy, tough metal with a hole on one end and working on it in there best. It is also a good excuse to learn to weld better, too.

If I end up feeling to scared to deal with it, I might just call the bomb squad over to help me. In fact, mabye I should call them now asking for advice?

I will keep you guys updated.

#15 10-19-2003, 07:47 PM

First calling the bomb squad. I guess you think they real are "cival servants" WRONG. They will give you a nice large bill. And may say this is indeed "life threatning." And distroy it.
Rope, mattres, strap. Wrond again.
Get a chain, a heavy chain and secure the SO_.
Better get extra insurance and have the wife do it.
Then get the right tool.
These are like a rattle snake, if you don't know about them don't mess with them. They will hurt you and others.
Charlie