Possible to Remove W124 Lower Control Arm Without Spring Compressor?
 

I have done a search and found many threads detailing a method of raising the vehicle, then using a jack to support the control arm to allow replacement of struts and mounts, etc. without requiring a spring compressor. Can this method be used to lower the control arm enough that the spring can be removed without a compressor?

Only if you want to be killed!

Steve

Think of the weight of your car. Then imagine the front of the car takes up about 70% of that weight. Then think of 35% of that weight compressing that spring.

Then imagine a big metal spring flying into your body with the force of a pallet of bricks.

I expected a more macabre scenario from one whose moniker bills him as the bird of death!

In all seriousness, I am fully aware of what the spring will do to the human body. I almost lost a finger replacing struts on a Dodge minivan when the Pep Boys spring compressor gave way. You're not talking to a newbie here. A simple yes or no answer would suffice.

I know the rear springs can definitely be removed WITHOUT a spring compressor using a gradual lowering of the subframe until everything is low enough that the springs just fall out quietly. You have to do both sides rather than just one, but it is definitely possible and is also safe. I had imagined that perhaps the front lower control arm could also be gradually lowered to the point where the spring is no longer compressed. Can anyone point out whether or not this is possible?

Instead of the spring flying into your body, imagine it taking off your nose on the way by...

I agree that the rears can be done safely without the proper tool, but would not touch the fronts without it. Did a set once with threaded rod/hooks tool, took forever and had to reposition/do over so that the compressed spring could actually be removed from its location. Have also done a R107 by removing the control arm bolts and pivoting about the ball joint using a floor jack. I backed away from it more than once (ball joint allowed movement in more than one axis). I have a friend who lets me use his proper MB tool, have never looked back and would not attempt the job without it.

This is exactly how I do it on my W210 car (shock + spring, not struts). I purchased the spring compressor and it can't successfully be used on the rear with the springs I've got.

I don't know how similar the W124 rear suspension design is. Obviously, extreme caution and gradual lowering of the control arm are essential.

I have never done this on a 124, in fact I'm not sure if I have ever done it on any MB. But I have used this method on many US model cars with the same suspension arrangment. Sometimes it's easy, somtimes its hard and requires a little help from a cheep external spring compressor and pry bars, sometimes it becomes absolutly scarry.

I recall a time where one of my co workers was installing the front springs on a 330 Ferrari. We had a guy Gusseppi, very familiar with these cars right from Italy watching what he was doing. He dident speak much English but between his hand motions and broken English he could usually get his point across. He walks up to this guy and says "My friend" then he points at what he was doing on the Ferrari, cupped his hands over his jewels and said "And thena I will a havea to go witha your girlfriend tonight".

Then he ran back into the machine shop whipod some tool up in about 10 minuts and installed the spring like it was nothing.

John Roncallo

I've done both fronts and the rears on several 124s. Never used compressor on rear, but keep in mind the rears will come more or less straight down. The fronts can obviously turn more and I think it would be much harder to get them to come straight down in a controlled manner.

So yes it can be done, but I would not do it without a proper compressor and I would not tell anyone to try to do the fronts without compressors. I think it's to dangerous to do without compressor.

I think it would be nearly impossible to get the spring back in without a compressor. Although, someone will probably chime in and say they have done it.

I've done mine. GET a spring compressor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it can not happen without on that car.

Yes

I've done it on a 201 -- which is the same set-up but dementionally smaller.

HERE'S THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP: I created a "safety chain" by running a loop of chain through the spring and around the control arm, so that even if the spring did let go, it was secure.

I kept the control arm attached to the body of the car, and with the jack under the ball joint, I slowly/carefully lowered the jack... allowing the control arm to pivot.

The safety chain never came into play in my case -- both my springs went off and on without incident. But to perform this proceedure without it would be profoundly dangerous -- and stupid. (in my humble opinion)

jp

I've seen the safety chain only method, (scary) and in fact, we used the chain/cable even with the spring compressor on one of the jobs we did back on the farm on a truck. I would never do this without a spring compressor. They are easy to get and fingers and such aren't.

I've been reading the W124 ball joint DIY: http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W124BallJoint

Look at this picture:

http://www.peachparts.com/diy/w124ba...s/image034.jpg http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...w124spring.jpg

It looks like you could take a weightlifting bar and run it through the bottom hole in the LCA, through the spring, and out the top of the spring perch, leaving it sticking out about half a foot. Then you could lower the LCA very slowly until the tension on the spring is released. I would think a weightlifting bar or something similar like a thick rebar is much stronger than a chain and not going to get snapped in the event the spring dislodges.

i agree it can be done but what are you trying to do? my shop is not that far from you and i have the benz spring compressor.call me,sat morns are usually free.