I have done some searching here and on fleabay and it looks like there are 3 options.

SG Motorsports, El Paso Tool and ZDmac. Has anyone purchased one recently and had the issue with it not fitting through the hole in the arm? looking at the pictures they all seem to be the very same knockoff of the Klann. the only one I can find different is an old picture with the case in a slightly different configuration in the ZDMac catalog, but when you click it you get the new case layouut. This looks like the classic vendor change and may be the time the issue started, If anyone has the old known to work kit does it have the compressor rod in the middle and the cups in a square on both sides? the only layout ive seen is the compressor at the top and the cups in a more triangular layout under the rod.

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

I originally purchased a clone compressor from ZDMAK on eBay. The quality looked impressive, but the diameter of the center shaft was too large (45mm plus) to go thru the front spring perch holes on my 300CD.

I did some research and discovered that most of the eBay sellers use the same Taiwanese supplier. I contacted the supplier to determine if they could provide a tool that would fit the 44mm spring perch holes. They said they would investigate, but did not follow up.

If you look at the front spring perch holes on a w123 you will notice there are two layers of sheet steel, and the bottom layer has a downward facing lip - which would make enlarging these holes a pain. So rather than carve up my car, I purchased the Klann compressor - a demo unit from Samstag that was on sale for $649. The Klann compressor fits perfectly and makes removing the springs a quick, easy and safe job.
Even so I was still a bit tense when removing/replacing those springs

ZDMAK gave me a refund on the unused clone.

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Neil.


1991 190E 2.6 170k
1995 E320CA 57k
1999 Chevy Tahoe 98k
2000 R1150GS 45k
1983 300CD 178k - sold, but not forgotten

Some of the clones don't quite fit the front openings on the W123. The shaft diameter of the one's that don't fit is just under 46mm. The opening is just about 44mm.

So, see if the supplier will accurately measure the shaft and compare the result to the above figures.

I'd avoid ZD-ASS for a tool purchase, VERY unprofessional on the phone and unhelpful.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I sent emails to the vendors but as of yet no response. looks like El Paso Tool is local to me. Maybe I will ask them if I can see it in person before buying. Can someone with a Klann measure the shaft to see what it should be? I assume 42-43mm but I dont know how much clearance is needed to fit the majority of cars. Sounds like the typical Taiwan copy, cheap soft metal and then increase cross section to get the strength back. It still may be questionable.

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

They go in the coil through the TOP. The older compressors would fit through the bottom hole in the control arm.

A die grinder with a carbide bur made enlarging the holes a breeze. It's hardly equivalent to "carving up" the car, so unless the car is a pristine concours winner, it doesn't matter and once touched up is not noticeable.

I bought the $200 ebay spring compressor and it did not fit through the hole. Used a cone abrasive wheel in drill bit and enlarged the hole enough to slide through. Worked great. When I was finished used rust inhibitive paint on the bare metal exposed from the minor grinding operation. Minor pita. Very happy with the easy spring changing, safety factor and the money I saved not going to the local indy. Actually I have saved major bucks doing my own work this past year by reading this forum. Thank you all.

um, is it possible that we are all this stupid that we missed this possibility?

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

The newer models are for W126 not W123, hence the size difference of the hole. Just take a die grinder to it.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

That's not a possibility for a W123 -- there is no hole in the lower control arm where the tool could go through.

Nope, not stupid, that is unless I am also that stupid, which is a possibility. I discovered this by accident. For years I had gone through the die grinder routine and then one day accidently happened to set the screw assembly on top of the upper control arm while I was finagling the flat plates into place. The screw fell down the hole and the light bulb went on.

well thats interesting. I will call El Paso and see if they will let me try. To be honest I tried a folded ear inside compressor from the top and it would not fit through the hole, then I watched the Klann how to video and assumed all of the klann type went through the bottom, but I havent even looked at the arm to see if it was possible I just assumed thats the way they made it to work. DOH.

__________________

1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

Here's a couple of photos showing the holes. Granted this is from a W114 subframe which I am rebuilding but the W123 is similar.

Pic #1 is the lower control arm showing the access hole which we usually use the die grinder to enlarge.



Pic #2 shows the view from the upper spring perch. Note the lower control arm hole.


Pic #3 is the upper hole.


Although this seems plain from these pictures with the subframe OUT of the car, it's not so obvious when your head is stuck up under the wheel well cussin' all the dirt falling into your eyes.

Actually, now that I am thinking about it, those pictures don't apply to a W123. It's been too long since I worked on one of those chassis. The compressor still goes through the top however.