We are talking 98 ML 320 shocks here, nothing else is a given!

I wrapped the entire shock assembly by rolling it up in some scrap carpet about 4' X 6'. Then I reached in, using a socket, 12" extention, and my impact wrench to spin the nut off that retains the spring. It was a small wump but the shock didn't move and the spring maybe jumped about 3 inches. It appears the spring has lost most of it's compression by the time the nut comes off.

Nothing is ever truely safe so you do this at your own risk

Regards,

Jim in Phoenix