560SL Spring Compressor - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Strife · #1 09-14-2006, 01:13 AM

After buying a Klann clone spring compressor, taking a look at it on my car, and THEN reading the following thread:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=123959&highlight=107+spring+compressor

I determined that it is indeed true that you can't use this tool to compress a 107 spring (although some ads for it claim that you can). In a nutshell, there is no good access in this car through the top spring mount and the lower control arm access hole isn't large enough in diameter (apparently, some people have actually enlarged this hole enough to fit the tool through, but I really don't think this is a great idea).

I would like to remove the springs for two reasons:

1. Lower ball joint replacement (at least the tool I got for actually removing/installing the ball joint itself is known to work on this year/model)

2. I think one of my spring pads may be damaged, and I'd like to replace it (I'd probably replace both, given their age).

The manual goes through the removal of the lower control arm under controlled circumstances with a lowering fixture on top of a jack (which requires that the car is pretty high). This looks a lot more dangerous than a compressor and is not practical for me.

A tool similar in principle to the Klann, but using just a long threaded rod is used in lower ball joint removal in the MB manual, not to remove the spring, apparently, but only to releive pressure on it).

Why won't the following type of compressor shown in the attached image work? Is it just not strong enough? Would I have trouble getting the arm assemblies through the spirals of the spring, even if I extended the spring as far as I can while all is still assembled? Thanks for any advice.

jhodg5ck · #2 09-14-2006, 08:16 AM

I've heard some nasty stories about the hook type...One was from my father who is lucky to be alive after one of these hook compressors slipped and the spring went flying a few inches from his head.

I do beleive Klann does make a spring compressor that will fit the 107/114/115 etc..

Jonathan

porkface · #3 09-14-2006, 08:24 AM

i can tell you i have that tool and it won't work-i just forget why. i tried it on a 107 many years ago, trying to do ball joints. don't waste your money getting 1. good luck, chuck.

PaulSpringmann · #4 09-14-2006, 09:09 AM

When I replaced the LCA bushings and ball joints on my 560SL, I rented the Klann compressor. But only after renting, I was not able to make it work...

Instead, I used the J-hook like the picture purchased from NAPA; however, I did not fully remove remove the springs. I just hooked the top of the spring and compressed it a bit down against the LCA.

I used this same technique on a 108, and then used a floor jack to fully remove the string per the MB factory manual.

For ball joint replacement, you don't actually need to compress the spring as you can put a jack under the low control arm.

Steve Gutman · #5 09-14-2006, 11:43 PM

I'm not a machanic, this is by memory and I'm sure steps are missing. Beware of my advice. With that said, I recall that the assembly on the hook type is too large to get inside the spring. I have had the springs out of my 107 twice and both times I just jacked up the arm, removed the shock, popped the ball joint (with a press) and lowered the arm. I kind of had to wedge the spring out (and then in) at the end of the travel and the whole thing spooked me. Then the control arm bolts can be removed. THe car does have to be fairly high up. I used some 6 ton jack stands. I pulled the lower A-arms and replaced the bushings and the lower ball joint. It took about 20 tons on the shop press to change the ball joint. I had a ball joint press and put a 1/2" drive impact on it and drove the shaft nad bottom cap out of the ball joint. That left the sleeve. I had to get the right sized pusher and put it on a hydraulic press to remove it. Both sides went exactly the same way.