Removing hydro compensator strut on W111 -- I'm stuck!

[justincook]

I'm trying to remove the compesator strut to replace it with a spring. I removed the two bolts from the passenger side. So far, so good.

Now I'm trying to remove the nut holding on the driver side. But the stud it is on is turning. I moved the rubber boot/bellows on the strut and it looks like the 'socket' on the inside of the bracket is turning with it.

What's the trick here fellas? Help I'm stuck.

[justincook]

Can anyone help? Am I the only one who has run into this?

[Tomguy]

I haven't been there done that but judging by this image the piece in question (116) appears to be removable - probably to facilitate easy boot removal. If it's not coming out, unless you plan on re-using it, I'd just grind or cut it off. 40+ years of rust work wonders on making that sort of thing un-removable, where rust is like a weld.
http://www.detali.ru/cat/MB/B32001000042.0003.gif

[Mark DiSilvestro]

I did this conversion on a '66 250S and don't remember any special problem with the nut. Since you got the bellows loose, have you tried a large vise-grip pliers to hold the shaft while you turn the nut?
Or maybe a large Channellock pliers to hold the 'socket'.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[justincook]

Finally got it. It took a large C-clamp from a friend to hold the 'socket' and impact wrench to break it loose. Had I used an impact wrench to quickly break it loose instead of slowly turning it by hand in the beginning it would have been much easier.

Now to get the spring in... my regular spring compressor won't fit between the coils.

[GGR]

I remenber putting one in without a spring compressor. I lifted the rear of the car so that both rear wheels were off the floor and got maximum positive camber. I inserted the spring on the diff side and then positioned the right bracket at an angle so that I could bolt in the inner bolt. I then used a metal bar as a lever and pushed the right side of the bracket up thus compressing the spring the little needed so that I could insert the second bolt. I don't remember how I positioned that bar though.

[justincook]

Thanks for all the replies.

Maybe the exhaust on my W111 is not routed correctly, but it interfered with me getting a jack or pry bar on the bolt-on bracket. But this thread has great instructions for an ad-hoc spring compressor.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/vintage-mercedes-forum/190233-tomguy-question-compensator-spring-replacement-trick.html#post2288561

Worked great for me so my rear bumper is now high and proud!