These W123, W126 Coil Spring Compressors sure have come down in price.

I thought I did good when I found a new one on CL for $75.
I saw this one on E-bay For $87.39 and free shipping

Coil Spring Compressor Telescopic Repair Tool Kit Mercedes Benz W123 W114 W202 | eBay



Then I came across this one and it sure looks scary and not just the $650 price. And shipping too?

Plates look too thin and there is nothing to really lock in the under size rod.
Looks like an accident on the way to happen.


Mercedes Benz 300D "123 Chassis" Coil Spring Compressor Tool | eBay

Mouse over to Zoom -

I have seen some home made one`s here on the forum that look safer.

Note: this second one is also used, and note the threaded rod has a curve to it in the first picture. YIKES!!!


Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

That second design is why we need mechanical engineers... not sure if the guy who built it or the guy who is trying to get $650 for it is more insane. Probably the same person.

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

Well some are getting cheaper - others are compensating for it though!

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

I can put my 2 cents in for the ebay version. i bought and used it for my rear springs on my 240d and i was very happy with it. plates are heavy and system worked well.

__________________

Grey '91 350SDL 214k Dad's car
Beige '81 240D 4 Speed 254k SOLD
Blue '82 300D 225k SOLD
White '95 E300D 46k SOLD
Blue '87 190D 2.5 Turbo 315k SOLD
Brown '80 240D 4 Speed 716k SOLD
Beige '80 300D N/A 119k SOLD
Blue '85 300D Model 186k T-Boned

Aside from the weakness in the design of the second one... That threaded rod would be impossible to deal with on most cars... But it would work on a 123... With the hood fully opened I guess...

Not MY 123, but ...

That think looks like a great way to harpoon someone!

__________________
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 first one looks like my tool which will not work on the W123 without using a Dremel or some other tool to widen the hole at the top of the spring perch. If someone can confirm this tool will work it would be worth buying.

The 2nd one just looks scary...

Here is my ebay spring compressor. I have used it to replace my rear springs in my 1981 w123 240d, and it worked great. will do the front springs in 3 weeks. Anyone in the Houston area can borrow it anytime if they need it.

__________________

Grey '91 350SDL 214k Dad's car
Beige '81 240D 4 Speed 254k SOLD
Blue '82 300D 225k SOLD
White '95 E300D 46k SOLD
Blue '87 190D 2.5 Turbo 315k SOLD
Brown '80 240D 4 Speed 716k SOLD
Beige '80 300D N/A 119k SOLD
Blue '85 300D Model 186k T-Boned

I spent over $250 on one of those red box sets - I forget the source, though it was samstag.

Hope you can a decent and safe one at that price. Its not the outside parts which you see that matters on these. its the bearings / shaft and steel on the retainers that are critical.

If you want to borrow mine, we can figure a plan. I need it this summer some time, but not a critical timing issue.

__________________

The top set looks just like the set I have, which does require a bit of time with a file to make room on the 123 chassis.. They are also a huge pain to lock the bottom plate in place correctly, but it did work well and seemed relatively safe considering the absurd amount of stored energy in a compressed spring. I did add a lot of silicone grease to the threads before using the tool.

These compressors in the red and sometimes blue blow molded boxes are a knock off the official Klann tool.

With the Klann tool, you do not have to open up the hole to insert the tool in the W123.
It fits right into the hole.

With the aftermarket tools, you will have to widen the hole a bit.
Not a big deal. I just did it on my 80 240D. Used a air Die Grinder, and some Rasp bits I bought at HF.
By the time you get the 2nd hole done,
Most of the teeth will be gone. Sone good quality.
I used the bit on the left end.

Once opened up, just clean up the open wound. ( degrease/deoil it) and then coat it with some POR to keep it from rusting.


High Carbon Steel Rotary Rasp Set 10 Pc




Warrior - item#68830



With the W126, the aftermarket tool drops right into the hole.

The after market tools have come down some, they use to be around $200 with shipping.
Or buy the Klann for something like $1200 as I remember.


Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

are you referring to the front springs that need the whole opened up some? i had no problems with the rear, and will be doing the fronts soon. need to know if the tools you speak about are something i need to get beforehand.

__________________

Grey '91 350SDL 214k Dad's car
Beige '81 240D 4 Speed 254k SOLD
Blue '82 300D 225k SOLD
White '95 E300D 46k SOLD
Blue '87 190D 2.5 Turbo 315k SOLD
Brown '80 240D 4 Speed 716k SOLD
Beige '80 300D N/A 119k SOLD
Blue '85 300D Model 186k T-Boned

Yep. The fronts need opening up

Mark the shaft and you will be able to easily settle the tabs on the shaft into the notches on the plate. Grease the shaft before use. Those in the red box work just fine.

__________________
85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Great thanks. i will buy the rasp set as well.

__________________

Grey '91 350SDL 214k Dad's car
Beige '81 240D 4 Speed 254k SOLD
Blue '82 300D 225k SOLD
White '95 E300D 46k SOLD
Blue '87 190D 2.5 Turbo 315k SOLD
Brown '80 240D 4 Speed 716k SOLD
Beige '80 300D N/A 119k SOLD
Blue '85 300D Model 186k T-Boned

You do not need to take off a lot of metal to get the rod to fit.
Place the upper end of the rod into the front spring hole, and you will get an idea how much you will need to remove.

I mentioned I use an air die grinder, really makes quick work out of it.

Warning, be sure to wear eye protection.

First time I opened up a hole was on my 85 300D. I used a file, dang that took a while to do.
Also did it twice at PNP.

The rear springs you really don`t need the compressor.
Remove the calipers, hang them on the sway bar with some wire etc...
Remove the rear links.
Remove the Shocks.
Place a jack under the Diff.
Remove the 4 13mm bolts that holds the Diff. mount to the body.
Lower the Jack, and the springs will just fall out.


Junkman that is a great idea about marking the tabs and the plate.
I keep a cheap $ Store white finger Nail polish in my tool bag to mark things like drive lines etc...
This would sure make it easier to see where things are lining up.
Eyes don't work as good as they did 40 yrs ago.

Standing on my head, holding a Flash Light and using a Screw Driver between the coils
to hold the shaft up into the detents. Then reach over the fender to turn the Socket to suck things up.
Then double checking to make sure it is all lined up before compressing the spring.



Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works