An alternate coil spring compressor.
Check the opening of the hole at the top of the spring perch.
Mine is 1 3/4 inch in size in the 123. I looked at this tool and felt that it would work except the lower ball nut. It was to large for the opening I have in the 123 ( we would be using it upside down in the Mercedes). Measure your hole and if its greater than 1 15/16" I would check out this unit. You have to have the lower ball nut fit through the spring perch opening.
http://www.handsontools.com/store/show_product/?product_id=1973
Well I just took a break and measured the 300SDL spring perch opening. It was 2.5 inches. This tool may very well work. The only consideration is the outside diameter of the plate versus the out side diameter of the spring in the 126 series.
Additionally this would not work on ALL mercedes as the Klann and Sir Tool does. Due to the size of the spring perch opening. However you may be able to use a plate of steel on the 123 spring and just pull the spring up into the perch
The OTC plate is 5 1/4 inches maximum by 3 1/2 inches. It is oval. The springs on the 126 body are 5 inch in diameter. So it will work on the 126. The rear springs I don't know. Its raining outside and I don't want to climb under a wet car to measure the rear springs.
The 123 springs are 4.5" front (overall outer diameter)and 5.5" rear. I had to use the large Sir tool plate for the rears. The Sir tool plates are approximately 5 inches (small) and 6 inches (large)
Soooo!! this OTC tool may work. Please don't go out and buy it and find out that it doesn't work, and then blame me.
Take measurements of the tool and your car suspension and see if it will work
Well I have reviewed my notes on this tool and as far as I can tell on the 126, this tool WILL work in concept on the front springs. The center piece of the plate has a hub that is measured 3 1/2 inches, look at the bottom plate in the photo. Will this fit inside the spring coils???? Someone needs to get an acurate measurement of the inside on the coil spring for a 126. It may work, But no garrantees.
When you look at the photo you see the plate is oval shaped. The large dimension is 5 1/4 " The narrow dimension is 3 3/4"
the bottom plate shows a center hub. this is to center the plate and to prevent the plate from slipping to one side or the other. that hub is 3 1/2 inches ( I think someone needs to check that dimension if thinking of this tool).
HERES THE ASSUMPTION. The 123 and 126 shop manual call for the same rear spring compressor. Therefore the springs probably have the same total outside diameter. ASSUMING THIS. When I measure the 123 rear spring I realize that the plate will fit safely into the spring and can be used. Now does the lower ball nut on the compressor fit through the trailing arm opening where the shock attaches.??? I don't know.
If the nut will fit through the trailing arm opening then it will work on the rear of the 126. You may have to place the bottom plate on the outside of the trailing arm, if it doesn't and tighten it to remove the trailing arm then R+R the new spring.
The dimemsions of the 123 rear spring for comparison.
overall diameter 5 3/8"
inner coil spring diameter 3 3/4 "
center of coil to center of coil 4 3/4"
coil diameter 5/8"
I used inches because its easier.
Again this may only work on the 126 and not any others. I don't know the dimensions of the other Mercedes models.
Dave