Cheap Spring compressor ??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

drskipper · #1 11-09-2007, 02:43 AM

Hey I think I found a good deal on a spring compressor.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/1801-Mercedes-Benz-Strut-Coil-Spring-Compressor-Tool_W0QQitemZ290178971338QQihZ019QQcategoryZ35625QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Big Jim · #2 11-09-2007, 09:25 PM

i bought the same one on ebay 2 months ago from el paso tool for around the same price and it worked like a charm. i wouldnt even consider using any other type of spring compressor for benz springs. believe me, i tried the rental from autozone and was able to remove the springs with extensive effort {not the safest either}, but putting them back with this cheapy rental compressor was out of the question. you wont be sorry that you bought this compressor. jim 97 e300d 85 300sd

Brian Carlton · #3 11-09-2007, 09:41 PM

That compressor will be fine for the M/B.

The $200. price is typical on e-bay......it's usually there all the time.

sixto · #4 11-09-2007, 09:54 PM

I used that tool or a set just like it on a 140 and 124 with no problems except that the 140 front springs are bigger than the small retainers and smaller than the big retainers. I hear you have to clearance the front center holes in a 123 to use some of those non-Klann compressors. Caveat emptor.

Sixto
87 300D

BIGRED · #5 11-10-2007, 12:42 AM

In the past I built my own which worked, however, I purchased the same compressor your looking at and really like it. What took me hours to accomplish safely using my home made setup, I can accomplish safely, comfortable and in minutes with the proper compressor. I have used it on both the front and rear of our 126 more than once. The 123 is going to get it soon.

drskipper · #6 11-10-2007, 02:50 AM

Cool, Thanks glad to hear I made a good investment.
I won the bid for US $192.50 making it CAN $182.66 for me

Anyone know where I can get the w123 ball joint press? for a cheaper price.

#7 11-10-2007, 05:14 AM

You could do the same job with a freebie from autozone

lutzTD · #8 11-10-2007, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justfacts

You could do the same job with a freebie from autozone

on my 84 300d i used the autozone one, but its a pretty iffy proposition. to remove the spring i removed the shock bolt and upper ball joint and lowered the arm down as far as it will go. then put a floor jack under the outer edge of the spring and raised it up a little so the bottom is level, then you can push the spring out sideways. it does not have a lot of energy stored in this position and the top cup holds it from going anywhere anyway.

to replace and with no spindle i compress it about 3 inches until i can get the bottom coil to catch in the perch behind the hump and bolt then release and remove the compressor. then with a floor jack i raise the arm until I can get the shock bolt in, i lower the jack and reposition it farther under the arm and then install the spindle.

I would not recommend this method to any but the foolish like me, but since this is my driver I did not have the time or money to wait for the proper spring compressor. it definitely would have made the job safer and easier.

tjohn · #9 11-10-2007, 08:14 AM

I agree. I've used the Autozone compressor, but ended up buying the same compressor as the original poster. To me its well worth the price for the added safety and speed of using the proper compressor. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't even consider some of those workarounds that you see advocated on the site.

BIGRED · #10 11-10-2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justfacts

You could do the same job with a freebie from autozone

I have tried a number of ways to remove and replace the springs on MB's going so far as building my own tool (can search my name for old threads) and can say from experience... That if you do not use a compressor designed specifically for a MB, that whatever the approach you use to remove and replace the springs, RESPECT them the same way you would a loaded gun with the the hammer cocked. If memory serves me right, MB springs have upwards of 300lbs of force per inch of compression. Personally I wasn't comfortable with tools bought at Harbor Freight and or the free rental tools available.

Don

sixto · #11 11-10-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGRED

RESPECT them the same way you would a loaded gun with the the hammer cocked.

... and pointed at you! The spring will find you when the compressor fails.

Sixto
87 300D

drskipper · #12 11-19-2007, 01:42 AM

EEeek

I will have to wear one of those bomb disposal suits

ImBroke · #13 11-19-2007, 07:31 AM

with the kevlar lining.

russianwol · #14 11-19-2007, 09:59 AM

These are the ones I use. They were specifically listed as heavy duty/truck spring compressors. What's the general opinion on those?

KAdams4458 · #15 11-19-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russianwol

These are the ones I use. They were specifically listed as heavy duty/truck spring compressors. What's the general opinion on those?

I wouldn't trust my safety to them. A good set might be okay, but they'll set you back as much as the eBay Mercedes version does. If they don't cost that much, I wouldn't trust them. Either way, the proper style compressor is much easier to use.