Broker front spring

[jps300E]

I just had the tie rod ends and right ball joint replaced ('87 300E). Saturday evening after picking up the car, a 3 inch piece of the right front spring broke off the bottom. The mechanic doesn't understand why since they claimed not to have touched the spring while removing the ball joint. Just curious if anyone has an opinion. The springs look pretty cruddy but I can't help but wonder if the attempt to remove the stubborn ball joint may have dealt a deadly blow to the spring.

Any thoughts on a DIY replacement of both front springs?

Thanks.

[mbdoc]

Any spring can break! Doubt if front end work caused problem BUT possibly hurried the breakage along. Always replace in pairs if car is over 6 years old OR car has 100K+ mikes.