the car does have coil springs in the front. They are not the kind where the strut is inside the spring though (like you see on coilovers or macpherson struts), which is where you may be looking for them.

__________________
2005 Mercedes C230k sport sedan, 6 speed
1987 Porsche 924S - 968-engined track car

Yes, it is possible to replace a strut on a 124 without a spring compressor, but one must be very careful.

Peter

__________________
Auto Zentral Ltd.

What kind of symptoms are you getting? Is it clunking? Is it play in the steering wheel? Is it the steering wheel swinging left and right going over bumps? Each of these symptoms could be something different, not necessarily related to the strut or strut mounts.

If you ARE going to change the strut/mounts, be very careful to use a proper (i.e. Mercedes or equivalent) spring compressor, or ensure that the weight of the car is on the front springs, and that the control arm is not supported by a jack. The springs store a lot of energy, and if the strut is unbolted, there is no limit stop on them. Which means they can go flying and punch holes through people and walls.