Rebuilding my 450SE Suspension?

[rix116]

Have a 75 450SE w/ 350K on it. Went to have it aligned this morning
and the shop said don't bother-too many things need attn., such as tie rod
ends, bushings, ball joints.
To have this work done professionally would probably cost me as much as the car is worth, but the car is still a good 2nd car and runs well.
My basic question is, have any of you amateur shade tree mechanics
done suspension rebuilds on the 116's? I can get the parts fairly cheap and
I have done a little suspension work before (on a 68 Barracuda).
I know the coil springs have to be compressed (are they really dangerous
when you take them out?)
Just would like to hear either some encouragement or warnings etc.

[wbain5280]

Here's a link to the service manuals.

http://handbook.w116.org/engine_75_2.htm

You will need a spring compressor. I bought one for my 300SE, similar chassis, from www.zdmak.com

http://www.zdmak.com/wbstore/main.asp?LowCt=0&action=cat&cat=MERCEDES%20TOOLS

The price is right. It's a copy of the original but will work just fine.

You'll need various pullers for the tie rod's and some long sockets to act as drifts for the idler arm.

Study the manual carefully. It's not that hard but you'll find once you fix one area, another will also need fixing. Just my experience with mine.

[rix116]

Thanks Warren-
$250 for a spring compressor seems pretty high to me for basically a one
time use. Are there other universal type compressors that are much cheaper?
(Of course I don't want to get something that won't hold it securely)

[wbain5280]

They're availabel for rent:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=126728

[cth350]

a suspension spring has a huge amount of tension in it. Letting one go can be lethal without precautions. On the older kingpin systems, it's as easy as a special jack saddle (homebrew) to slowly let the tension off by freeing the lower control arm while the jack holds it up.

However that's not quite so easy or safe with the balljoint systems because of the way it's designed. Just about any tool store will rent you a pair of compressors that are nothing more than big screws with clips on them. They're a little clumsey, but the work fine.

Work on one side at a time, that way, you have a template for the work. -CTH

[rix116]

Talked with a Mercedes mechanic about this today, who said that the
biggest expense could be if the lower control arms need ball joints,
the pressinng in of the new ones is expensive.
True?

[wbain5280]

You nned to find a shop that will replace them. Each side cost me about $115 to do, which includes the ball joint and an hour labor for removal and installation. Shop around to find the best price.

The official ball joint press is about $400.