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?

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

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!

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

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?

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

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.

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Hanno
'79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years)
'83 280SL, 5 spd.
'94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion
'02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!)
'87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold
'05 E500 Wagon

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.

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1998 W210 diesel (wiped out by a texter)
Baum spring compressor "for rent"

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

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

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

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Jeff Pierce

Current Vehicles:
'92 Mercedes 190E/2.3 (247K miles/my daily driver)
'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon (263K miles/a family truckster with spunk)
'99 Kawasaki Concours
Gravely 8120
Previous Vehicles:
'85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow (226K miles)'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon
'53 Willys-Overland Pickup
'85 Honda 750F Interceptor
'93 Nissan Quest
'89 Toyota Camry Wagon
'89 Dodge Raider
'81 Honda CB 750F Super Sport
'88 Toyota Celica
'95 Toyota Tacoma
'74 Honda CB 550F

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.

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DS
2010 CL550 - Heaven help me but it's beautiful
87 300D a labor of love
11 GLK 350 So far, so good
08 E350 4matic, Love it.
99 E320 too rusted, sold
87 260E Donated to Newgate School
www.Newgateschool.org - check it out.
12 Ford Escape, sold, forgotten
87 300D, sold, what a mistake
06 Passat 2.0T, PITA, sold

Las Vegas NV

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

Look at this picture:



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.

__________________
08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

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.

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David S Poole
European Performance
Dallas, TX
4696880422

"Fortune favors the prepared mind"
1987 Mercedes Benz 420SEL
1988 Mercedes Benz 300TE (With new evaporator)
2000 Mercedes Benz C280
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