ZDMAK Quality Tools is selling this tool in e-bay for $289. Looks like a copy of the $900 KLANN tool.

Anyone has used it ? Looks like a bargain, but is it good ?

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I've never used it but I have seen it and it is basically the same tool made with different materials which makes it basically cheaper. It probably works just as good but it's like when people say something like Snap-on tools are better than Craftsman which is subjective since turning a bolt isn't going to kill you but for me at least, buying an over engineered Klann spring compressor is like buying a better bullet proof vest. Would you trust a lesser, just enough engineered vest with your life?

I've actually done some research on this very tool. I spoke to Gedore of North America (the owner/manufacturer of the Klann compressor), and I've spoken to ZDMak too as well as some other mechanics. Using a spring compressor is VERY dangerous as we all know. There is a lot of kinetic energy in one of those. ZDMak told me that the tool he sells is NOT made in Germany but IS a knock-off, he thought made in Taiwan but most definitely Asia.

Gedore North America has warned that (and they are well aware these identical-looking tools are out there) because of trademark/patent law, the Asian manufacturers cannot copy the tool exactly. They have to change something, however small it may be. What they did change in the case of this Klann tool is the integrity and some type of a safety feature (I've never looked closely at this Klann tool before, I do not own one). Gedore wrote me to beware of these copies from Asia and Hungary too - I guess that would be the SIR Tool equivalent since their tools are made in Hungary. They cut corners on the safety features/issues, that's the only corner the Asian maufacturers can cut. I don't know what those corners are but that's how they get around the patent. It LOOKS real good, but you cannot "see" what type of steel is used nor can you see the inside of the tool.

I'm told by others who have bought this copy that it is "identical" - that's on the outside of course, only what you can see. Of course the manufacturer was the one who told me that their product was better - it's also about $1000. I suppose I actually believe the sales rep. from Gedore. 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's for sure! I like my Klann, I use it a lot.

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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

I used the clone from ZDMAK just this morning (really!). The visible difference between it and a Klann, that I've borrowed and used in the past, is in the shape of the three "indents" for latching on the lower plate.

The indents on the clone are milled without "steps" leading to the indents. No less safe a design, but a touch more difficult to align, but no sweat if you've used one before.

As to the metal. Mine was fresh out of the case, brand new, and when I was done using it;... there wasn't a scratch in the metal. Didn't run a hardness or composition test on it but it's obviously very good steel. Is it as good as the steel in a Klann? I don't know, but I have no doubt that if I screw up with a coil spring , odds are it will be "operator error", not the tool's failure.

For $199 (my price) it meant the difference between doing it safely now, everytime, versus mickey mousing occasionally since I did not own the expensive Klann and had to beg, borrow or rent it... and being human, I'd sometimes use a less safe "work around". Now I don't have to because of it's affordability.

Only my experience with it so far, everyone has their own. Not meant as an endorsement, just a report. IMHO & YMMV, Take care.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Glad that someone has tried it. Can you post some detailed pictures for us?

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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

Maybe the real difference is durability, especially because a screw thread is involved. If I were a pro mechanic that planned on doing lots of these jobs, I would have to break the bank and buy the Klann.

I remember when I was working on my POS Oldsmobile, changing the front struts. The spring compressors I bought had a clear warning on them, "for home use only - not for professional use"! I treated them as "disposable", because the threads did in fact look a little worn after using them once!

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86 560SL
With homebrew first gear start!
85 380SL
Daily Driver Project

http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm

I used the clone to remove the front springs on my W124 - it worked just fine.

anyone have a current eBay link to one?

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#dieselFLEET
---------------
'97 E300
'99 E300

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Coil-Spring-Compressor-1801_W0QQitemZ4582250212QQcategoryZ35625QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

__________________
The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

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

__________________
#dieselFLEET
---------------
'97 E300
'99 E300

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.

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1992 124 E200 (Euro)

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.

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

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.

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

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.