I need to take the front springs out of my 300TD (lower control
Arm bushings) and was going to rent a set, However I would need to have them on several different occasions (for other maintance) and just decided to buy a pair of the Chinese spring compressors for $145 shipped off eBay.
These may not be the high end ones, but they get great reviews by people that have used them. And no more than I need them they should be fine.
The metal is case hardened and seems to be thick.
I tried to make a set and because I could not heat treat the steel it bent, and I was using AR400 steel 1/4 inch thick.
So after a failure or two at fabricating, I decided to just buy a pair since safety was also an issue. I will report back with some photos after I use them.
Oh one side note, the plastic case seems to be cheap, UPS has cracked it by throwing the cardboard box it was shipped in it looks like up against a brick wall a time or two.

Looks just like the one I have.

Is that the kind that requires you to enlarge the wheel well hole over the upper spring perch?

Sixto
87 300D

What brand is it? is it the JTC brand?

Don't know, but I will be able to answer that tomorrow.
Or maybe tonight since I'm curious now.

yup. that set will not fit through the 123 spring opening. it'll be fine for occasional use... but you will have to dremel out the opening a touch.

anytime you need the KLANN, I'm only 30 or so miles from ya...

__________________
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!

I could not stand it and went out and checked it out.
They do fit, but you have to angle it and cuss a little.
However if you want to take the spring all the way out while still compressed that's another story
trying to get that head thru the hole.
I'm hoping that I can take the pressure off the lower control arm to put bushings in it and I don't have to pull the spring all the way out. If I find I do I guess the access hole is going to get reamed out.

yes, the SHAFT will fit, but you cannot compress the spring without DESTROYING YOUR CAR unless you put the HEAD of that tool into the spring pocket. so you will have to grind the opening out to fit the head in.

__________________
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!

it's ONLY the 123 that has the tiny opening, so putting the tool in the rental forum is a good way to get some money back from buying the tool.
works great on the 124's and 126's

__________________
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!

And 140.

Sixto
87 300D

really? I did not know that. I figured the 140 would be like the 124... I guess not. ya got pics?

__________________
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!

No pics. I did the fronts with no problem but the spring was bigger than the small cup and smaller than the big cup so it's not a perfect fit.

Sixto
87 300D

I will keep that in mind about the KLANN.
I measured the head if the Chinese compressor and the largest reamer I have is
1 3/4 inch I need a two inch at least.
I guess the die grinder is coming out tomorrow.

I really like this idea another Fourm member did to enlarge the hole neatly.
He used a 1 3/4 hole saw inside a 1 7/8 hole saw bolted togeather to act as a guide.
Neatness counts so this is going to be my preferred method.
I love this Fourm.

That's a great idea.

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