New to SL forum, spring compressor rental?

[joshhol]

Hello,

I normally dwell in the vintage forums, but have come to the SL owners to get possible help with front end work. I hope to rebuild the front and rear, driveline and brake systems on my W115 1976 300D. I've been informed that the 107's and 115/114's share virtually the same front end.

I would consider renting a Klann comp. but the ones available seem to apply to the 123 series and beyond.
The part number for front spring compressor in the MB manual is 107 589 03 31 00.

Also, the manual shows removal of the front spring by raising the car, cradling the LCA with a pit lift and carrier and lowering it, thus expanding the spring. Has anyone done it this way with a floor jack?

Thanks

[Pete Geither]

Have done it that way many times. You may need a pry bar and a little help but it is definately doable without any spring compressor.

[Steve Gutman]

At the very bottom of the travel the spring can be pried from its perch. I stick a bar in the hole in the A-arm to keep it from flying out. In, it goes the same. I would loosen the A-arm bolts to remove the tension form the rubber mounts. Putting them back is a pain, literally. I put the bar in for safety and stick another bar into the coils and push up. This is no fun and a little dangerous. I usually smash a finger a little. I have done 3 of them. My neighbor is an independent and has the $1500 tool. He has a co-worker who bought an American made one and it broke the 5th time he used it. I would never ask to borrow such a tool. I tried to make a compressor but it had to be under 1" diameter and must telescope or you won't be able to get a socket into it. All I need now is a tube threaded 4" deep to 5/8"-20 with a 14 mm hex on the end. Anyone have a mill-turn center? Bore it and I will find a way to tap it. I have the rest.

[joshhol]

I looked at the manaul some more and it looks like the MB tool I listed is only for compressing the spring to do certain jobs with it in place. Lowering the LCA is the only way they show for removal.

Thanks for the replies. May have to do it this way.


edit> wonder if I should duplicate my threads here while doing the front end.
the vintage forum can be a ghost town.

[RickM]

If it's anythjiong like the tool used for the rear I'd suggest a standard internal spring compressor.

I purchased one for $40 off Ebay and with a little pursuasion it worked perfectly.

After I completed the job I found out that Autozone "lends" the same compressor out. Their "rental" system asks that you leave a deposit (full price, lol), use the tool and when you're done bring it back for a full refund.

Hope this helps.

[Steve Gutman]

Rick - The internal tool that is $40 looks like it won't come out of the coils or the bottom hole in the A-arm. How does it come out?

[Pete Geither]

We pulled the front springs out of the TE today and wacked off a couple of inches. Took a couple of hours with no compressor. Key is a floor jack before you remove that last bolt on the strut. Support the lower control arm, and let it down easy. The left spring is easier than the right because the end of the coil is on the inside on the right. Once you get the coil in place, just jack it up till you can replace your strut bolts,,,,, piece of cake.