Replace of rear springs on W203 w/out compressor safe?
 

I need advice with replacement of rear springs - both broken !!!!! - on my '01 C240. I cannot locate a suitable compressor at a reasonable price. I know how to do it without the compressor but it is safe? It's not me who is concerned, but my wife :-)))))))

Please help.:grim:

Not using the right tool on springs like these can be hazardous to your health. It sounds like you know this already.

No it is not safe, yes I have done it, I finally broke down and bought the correct tool off Ebay to do it. Not the MB tool, a generic, not exactlly the same quality but its price was right, much safer than nothing and it works perfectlly. If you do it without, be careful, it is possible, but i dont recommend that people do it. Very careful.
If they are broke, it might be ok with less pressure, it there is still the same pressure on them, not any safer. Install will be difficult without the tool, but tnot impossible. I would not relay all this to my wife prior to doing the work, you might not tell yours till after either

So was it one of those cheap chinese sets? That's my dilemma - will I feel safer using the cheap ebay crap (for 1/3 of the price of reputable tool)???

I know two persons cut their hands because of using inproper tools.

I would say that what I bought was probably not the "super wonderful, high, German quality" tool that the $800-1100 dollar tool is...however...it was very nice. The tooling on it was good, the finish was nice, and the blow molded plastic case it came in is actually of good quality, not flimsy as I expected. I actually was very pleased with the tool, it worked very well, smooth and no binding on compression or release. I have used it 4 times and not even once felt as if it was dangerous or of a quality that might fail. It is your choice. I paid about $250 for it shipped, I am very pleased with it and it does not get industrial shop use so I trust it, I trusted it with my life using it 4 times I guess.
It is your choice, use the wrong tool, use no tool, use a "NON-German made" tool, or pay $900 or more for a tool you will use a few times. Oh, maybe someone will rent you their $1100 tool for a week or so, try that too.