I just replaced both struts and both shocks on my 190D a couple of weeks ago. I did run a safety chain through the springs to prevent the springs from accidentally "getting away". I am a professional engineer, and understand the forces at work in automobile suspensions quite well. However, I disagree that placing jackstands under the control arms is somehow safer than placing jackstands under the subframe, and using a floor jack to control movement of the lower control arm. I think that it is easier to remove and re-install the struts if there is a way to move the control arm up/down as needed. Your method doesn't allow for this movement. Both of the methods we have described will probably work, but we could have just as easily told the original poster to follow the factory service manual instructions to the letter.

SteveM.

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'93 190E/D 2.5 Turbodiesel 5-speed (daily driver)
'87 190D 2.5 Turbo rustbucket - parts car
'84 Dodge Rampage diesel - Land Speed Record Holder
'13 Ram 2500 Diesel
'05 Toyota 4Runner