I need help from someone whos done the rear springs on a 124. I already did the front but I looked at the back and seemed a little confused. Do I drop the a arm from the hub end or the bushing end and does the shock need to come off at the same time.
Dave

I haven't done this for the sole purpose of spring replacement. If I did, I think I would take loose the shock and the hub end of the control arm.

BE CAREFULLLLLLLLL, THE SPRING WILL BITE

I would check the condition of the bushings on the lower arms and consider replacement with 200k and a 5 speed. If they are worn the car will ride pretty harsh with the new springs.

I just did mine about a week ago. It is quite easy. For the rears, first thing to do is to lift up the rear of the car and put it on jackstands, you need to lift up the entire rear of the car so there is no tension on the sway bar. Next, there are three bolts at each hub, one is for the sway bar, one is for the shock and the last one connects the hub, you will need to remove all three of these nuts and bolts. Before you pull the bolts out completely, place a jack below the lower control arm (just inside the hub), so when the bolts are removed you have something holding the tension that can be controlled and lowered to release tension. Sorry about the bad grammar, but it is late at night :) Hope this helps.

I posted how to do this a month or so ago. Lift the rear of the car. Place a floor jack (if you have one) under the lower control arm to support it. Take out the 1 nut and bolt (the side away from the wheel). It wont come slamming down because it's supported by the jack. You will have to play with the jack hight in order to wiggle the bolt out. When the bolt comes out, lower the jack. The control arm will eventually stop and not come down on its own. By now, you should be able to wiggle the spring out. The shock dosent need to come out. If the spring needs an inch or so more before it will come out, pull down on the controll arm. Now, put your pad on the new spring (make sure you put the pad on right). Stick the new spring in the support at the top of the spring well on the car. With the pad on, the spring SHOULD hang there. Slowly jack the jack and control arm back up. You wont need to apply to much pressure as the new spring is shorter and dosent have to be compressed that much AT ALL in order to put the control arm bolt in. Tighten it back up, and do the other side. THats it! Now...people have complained that this may not be "safe" or something. Look, use your head, go slowly, and place the jack under the control arm in a strategic point and you'll be just fine. I accomplished both rear springs (H&R) in under 20 minutes.

Good Luck.....Peter