Possible to Remove W124 Lower Control Arm Without Spring Compressor? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hirnbeiss · #1 01-27-2007, 10:31 AM

It stores a lot of energy and can maim or kill. Release the energy slowly, and stand on the opposite side, if you don't use a spring compressor.

It's important to remember, though, that the best laid plans of mice and men gang oft agly. 9 times out of 10 you don't need jackstands either, but applying Murphy's principle, you can be sure that just when you're overconfident that the car gods are always with you, the car will fall off the jack or the jack will fail.

gmercoleza · #2 01-27-2007, 06:48 PM

A pic of the work in progress:

gmercoleza · #3 01-30-2007, 07:02 PM

New LCA arrived today, and I installed it after work. Took me just an hour. Put the LCA bolts in loose, then stuck the spring in place, just catching the lip of the indentation in the LCA. Slowly jacked up the LCA, compressing the spring, and *SNAP* the spring fell into place in the LCA indentation, about 1/4 of the way up. The rest was fairly straightforward, with a bit of wrestling with the ball joint to get it to slip into the strut assembly. Compared to the old one, man that new ball joint is tight! In the process I damaged threads on the pinch bolt for the ball joint. I managed to get it on anyway but will order a new one from the dealer for safety's sake. In the meantime, I'm waiting on the new tie rods - once they arrive and are installed, my car should be ready for alignment!

I like the fact that I get new ball joint and LCA bushings with a new LCA. For $89 shipped, I'm tempted to do the other side before sending it in for an alignment. But maybe I should leave well enough alone.

I stand by my initial assessment - removal and installation of the LCA without a spring compressor is definitely possible, and is safe if you take your time and pretend that the spring can come out any second and kill you. If you use extra caution you should be fine.