I got the spring compressor from eBay. There is a seller called El Paso Tools, which is none other than Baum Tools' eBay operation. The tool (924-0231EP) is a replica of the original German tool that costs about $1000. Baum sells a tool for shops for "everyday use" and this tool for "enthusiasts". A Baum rep told me over the phone that the shop tool is made of better materials. The shop Baum tool (924-0231) costs $700. Although I never saw the shop tool, I would bet anything that the two tools are identical, sold at two different prices. It would probably be not feasible (or possible) for Baum to make two different tools, one of better material than the other.

Harbor Freight sells some great and some poor quality stuff. They do not sell a spring compressor that will work for this job, regardless of quality. It is a special tool.

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2004 E500 4Matic 138,000 miles