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

gmercoleza · #1 01-03-2007, 10:32 AM

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?

softconsult · #2 01-03-2007, 11:41 AM

Only if you want to be killed!

Steve

Parrot of Doom · #3 01-03-2007, 02:15 PM

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.

gmercoleza · #4 01-03-2007, 02:17 PM

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

gmercoleza · #5 01-03-2007, 02:21 PM

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?

hanno · #6 01-03-2007, 02:42 PM

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.

uberwgn · #7 01-03-2007, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmercoleza

Can this method be used to lower the control arm enough that the spring can be removed without a compressor?

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.

Roncallo · #8 01-03-2007, 06:42 PM

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

Ron in SC · #9 01-03-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Can anyone point out whether or not this is possible?

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.

cool123 · #10 01-03-2007, 08:24 PM

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

Pete Geither · #11 01-03-2007, 08:35 PM

Yes

tvpierce · #12 01-06-2007, 08:11 AM

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

Kebowers · #13 01-26-2007, 11:49 PM

CAN it be done?--YES. Should it? You like living with all your fingers, eyes, etc? Why take such life threatening chances trying to save a very few dollars. Life is precious, not cheap. Check out emergency room visit costs first. Simple cuts are $1000+

gmercoleza · #14 01-27-2007, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kebowers

Why take such life threatening chances trying to save a very few dollars.

You don't get it, do you? Some people said doing this job without a spring compressor was dangerous. But others reported just the opposite (see posts 12 and 18 above). So I set out to learn the answer, and was successful. It has nothing to do with money. Your overdramatization of "life threatening" is just plain silly. As I mentioned, the spring is already almost fully extended with the car up in the air, and only extends another 3 or 4 inches by lowering the control arm past its normal limits. If I took video, you would be shocked to see that the arm drops and the spring just slips out of the perch with very little force. You may need a prybar to get it past the quarter-inch indentation on the control arm, but there is no life threatening danger at all.

This forum is about learning. I'm merely passing information on in the hopes that someone will benefit from this thread. If they read it and decide they want to use a spring compressor anyway, that's their option.

gmercoleza · #15 01-27-2007, 12:46 AM

By the way, I positioned the jack in such a way that I controlled it from the other side of the car and was never fully exposed to the spring. If the spring were to fly out, it would have flown the other direction, away from me. This is a good practice but once again I report that the tension on the spring was almost fully released when it came out.