can springs be removed without sprng compressor?
 

w210 front springs: can they be safely uncompressed if lets say..car is on jacks...put jack under lower control arm and disconnect ball joint..then slowly lower control arm with the jack till spring is uncompressed?

If you do not value your life & would be happy to have the spring bounce around the wheel well a bit before taking out your left eye & 1/2 your face. Many things like this are possible, just not very safe. It is too easy for the LCA to move a bit side ways & the spring to come out. Maybe you could get a well trained monkey to do it for you. :D
I have never taken a coil spring out of any front end without constraining it some how first.
Its great to see you have the sense to ask before trying !!!

can? or should?
anything can happen.
I do NOT recommend removing 123/126 front coil springs without a proper spring compressor!

oh ok..i have a spring compressor but not the magical mercedes spring compressor. ive done this on other cars when the springs only needed about a inch of uncompression. i wasnt sure how long the mb springs are. im gonna redo the whole front suspension and alot of the holdup is the specialized tools needed that mercedes has burdened me with.

I did remove the spring on my 123 using the method you describe. I moved myself from the line of fire, secured the spring with chain and straps, and lowered the control arm.
That was 20 years ago. Had to do lower control arm bushing.
Had minimal tools and no internet.

I now own a mercedes type spring compressor. It certainley does make the job easier.
The tool rental part of this website has plenty available for little to no money except shipping.

I live sort of near you, let me know if you need to borrow mine and we can work it out.

Check local auto parts stores, especially NAPA or independant stores for the tool.

It's LOOOONG!

I got something off ebay a few years back to do mine... here was my original post...

I bought one off of ebay, a different maker than this one for my W210, but really looks the same. I could double check the mfg. No need for the $700 Klann (some will not like that comment).

When I used mine I literally had the spring out, sitting on the floor in under 10 minutes and that involved a learning curve on a new tool. One of the best things I have bought. With that I am not afraid of any front end work now.

What is it $175? Looks like it's up a few bucks now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Suspension-Coil-Spring-Compressor-Tool-Kit-Set-/370436191348?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item563fb7b474