anyone have a current eBay link to one?

Thanks.. Although it doesn't have the w210 listed? Any thoughts...

Quote: Mainly because we all know that China in particular is a country where their people are experts in forgery/counterfeiting of anything, tools included. I'm sure we've been duped at least once in our lives by a bogus product. I wouldn't take any chances with my life with a tool like that.

That is a very sweeping statement. Consider this: many a time, some "businessman" flies in with a product "sample" to China or some country with known cheaper labour and ask them to reproduce this at a fraction of the price so that he can sell it back home for a huge profit. Any country or "people" can reproduce/copy something but someone is asking them to do so who has the know how to bring it to you to dupe you.

As a professional MB mechanic I buy tools usind several criteria. My first choice in professional hand tools is Stahlwille. If I can't get them, my second choice is Snap-On. I alsu find S&K to produce a decent end wrench to be used when you need that second wrench of the same size. If I buy a tool with limited use like maybe twice a year, I'll buy a Crapsman or even something of Asian origin. An example would be the big socket to remove the fuel sending unit. I buy top quality hand tools that I will be using every day, because they last since they ore made of the finest steel. The tools from Asia are made out of hardened butter and can be unsafe if they fail unexpectidly. I will use cheap tools for odd jobs where safety is not an issue. I actually bought a whole kit of these cheap tools for what 3 Stahlwille wrenches cost me and I use them when I go to the bone yard.

I also have a slew of factory tools including the spring compressor. I personally would not risk injury by using a tool as dangerous as a spring compressor that is made of questionable steel. Considering how much profit potential there is in these knock offs, a company can afford to settle out of court on a few cases, but who has lost the use of an arm. Also winning these cases are not that easy. My hobby is cooking and a few years ago my wife bought some decorative seasonal pot holders. I didn't think anything about it until I tried to use them to remove something frpm a 425* oven. The extreme pain caused a blister the sixe of a quarter on my palm. I checked the pot holder for some warning label that these were decoration only. There was no label so I called my attorney. He said, " forget it." My point is that I'm wary of the quality of any tool where safety is a factor.

I have a set of those psring compressors, I used them on my car just to compress the spring slightly when doing the front shocks, and it worked perfectly.

Now even with the klann tool, there is the chance that the spring could pop as well.

With that being said, no mattery what tool you use, be safe.

I have no problem using craftsman for what I use them for, but I do buy snapon stuff here and there.

Money is almost always the reason for buying cheaper tools, but Craftsman has always worked fine for me, though I don't use it to do much in regards to heavy duty work.

Hands down, you get what you pay for. I paid $250.00 for the spring compressor,a nd the one or 2 times that I actually use it, it will have paid for itself, so in my mind thats ok with me.

I myself am never going to completely remove my springs, unless needed. but I may compress them so I can swap spring pads.

I got my Klann on this NG!!

WE had a group buy a while back and got a *GREAT* deal. So, when someone says $1000 difference... that's not really it. I bet it's really 250 dollars difference.
They might be fine, but my wife would kill me if she knew I'd cheaped out on something safety related.

Michael

So what's worse, being killed by your wife or a cheap tool? ;)

I have had a hard time changing front A-arm bushings without the compressor. After pulling the springs twice, I am buying one next time it's needed.

I have a friend who is a MB and BMW mechanic who said his co-worker bought a cheap spring compressor and it broke the 5th time he used it. I think they put an air hammer and compress the spring. If the tool is not case hardened it could be ruined quickly. This info is second hand.

Do you guys use an air hammer or just a ratchet wrench?

AHHHHUG!

NO you never use an airhamer to the tool-even the Klan. The horror stories by Stu Ritter. The MB mechanic had tightened the factory Klann till seizure. It was dangerous, nobody would touch the tool with spring. It finally ended up in the concrete pour of a new building at the Denver dealership.
Too expensive and doesn't require much force. Infact, if it does require a bunch of force, then you need to check why.

Michael

Is there any chance that one of those
 

big lobster-claw type compressors like we use on SAABs, etc., would be able to reach in there and do the job? Some places rent them. They work on the same principle as some kinds of tie rod end tools, but about 100 times larger.

OOps -- I think I accidentally posted this to a subordinate link rather than the main thread. Sorry.

A couple of us have the spring compressor for rent over on DD for a reasonable cost ($30.00).

The one that I have is offered by Baum tools and it's performed flawlessly for myself and three other members.

This is one of the cases where paying more money doesn't buy you a better tool. I can't see how the Klann can do a better job than this one.

hello brian

do u have a part number on the baum tool??
tks
craig

Craig,

There does not appear to be any p/n on the tool or the plastic storage box. You could call them at 1-800-848-6657.

This one was purchased through e-bay on one of the $220. deals.