Months ago I brought up a concept. To remove the front springs, without using a compressor, by lifting the car off the spring.

Well I had some fool around time in the last couple of days and it was in the end simple. I did this on a 126. I went very slow and checked and double checked each action. I wanted to learn as well as pull the spring. While I spent several hours pulling my first spring. I am sure I can pull it start to finish in 30 minutes.

1. I raised the front end and supported the body with jack stands
2. Using a floor jack near the lower ball joint, I lifted the car just a bit more than jack stands.
3. I removed the wheel, shock, upper control arm and the brake hose.
3. I very slowly lowered the floor jack. I found that the guide rod was adding support and therefore holding the wheel up a bit. Being the spring is about 19 inches and at this point 17 inches was already released, I was not to worried about the amount of tension left, however I clamped on a pair of coil spring compressors (that cost about $10.00 at Harbor Freight) for added safety and shoved a breaker bar through the top opening of the spring (via the engine compartment). I found the last steps a bit over kill but safe.
4. Stepped on the front control arm, which pushed it down about 2" and then using a pry bar, popped out the spring.

When I removed the clamps, I measured 1" to 1 1/2" of compression, I don't think enough to cause any danger, but they added some control and peace of mind.

On the next wheel I am going to pull off the guide rod (bearing support) before lowering the wheel. My guess is that the spring will fall out.

Don

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1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it