On my third coil spring (W126). Did the back two ok, no problems. removed the front spring (8 coils just like FSM) and loosening tool to remove from spring when about halfway heard a pop sound. Now the tool will not compress or loosen! The rod just turns freely like it broke or is stripped! The tool is stuck inside of the removed spring and I can not get it to extend to remove metal plates!

Purchased tool new $199; Steve at sg-motorsports, ebay/paypal (emailed and left message to him). This is a new tool and have only used on three springs!!

Beware of these chinese (Tawain) crappy tools!!! No official JTC website or warranty details found on a google search!

Help Jim at 252-917-2363

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1993 Mercedes Benz 300D 2.5 205K (ex wife's)
1984 Mercedes Benz 300SD 320K (SOLD)
2004 Mercedes Benz C240 75K
1995 GMC Sierra 2WD 5.7L 188K
1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD 239K (SOLD)
1987 BMW 325i 220K (SOLD FOR SALVAGE)

609 Certification

Look at the bright side - At least your hands weren't in there when the thing gave......

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-tp


1990 300SE "Corinne"- 145k daily driver - street modified differential - PARTING OUT OR SELLING SOON - PORTLAND OR. AREA - PM ME FOR DETAILS
1988 560SEL "Gunther"- 190K passes anything except a gas station
1997 S420 - 265k just bought it with a rebuilt trans. Lovely condition

Your right! Tool kinda of scares me now. Also glad it did it while spring was out and not in spring perch.

After using some pry bars and flat blade srewdrivers, I got the tool out! It had some how over extended the telescoping rod. I think 8 coils is too much for this tool making it overextend. The rear spring worked with 5 coils but the rear spring is shorter.

On the front spring how many coils should I compress?

__________________
1993 Mercedes Benz 300D 2.5 205K (ex wife's)
1984 Mercedes Benz 300SD 320K (SOLD)
2004 Mercedes Benz C240 75K
1995 GMC Sierra 2WD 5.7L 188K
1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD 239K (SOLD)
1987 BMW 325i 220K (SOLD FOR SALVAGE)

609 Certification

Having one of these, I'm interested...Did it actually break or did the extension "unscrew" from the internal rod. Can you screw it back together now?

__________________
Hanno
'79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years)
'83 280SL, 5 spd.
'94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion
'02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!)
'87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold
'05 E500 Wagon

Yes, I can screw it back together. It did not break, thankfully! I thought I was going to have to get the sawzzall out and cut it in half to get it out, then go rent a German made Klann. Sure am glad.

Steve (who I purchased it from) emailed and said if you compress too many coils this may happen upon release (he said it is a built in feature??) At first tried to compress 7 coils. This was not enough too get spring out of perch.
Will have to try something up on the coil upon reinstall and passenger front side.

BTW. Rear trailing arm bushings CAN be done with trailing arms on the car!!! (1984 W126 short body) Just finished. I knew it could be done! No need to remove entire rear subframe assemby like the FSM says, No drive shaft drop needed, just had enough room to wiggle out bolt heads near flex disc. Did have to drop side subframe and sway bar links. Did not remove axles or brake lines. Did have to drop exhaust for drivers rear.

__________________
1993 Mercedes Benz 300D 2.5 205K (ex wife's)
1984 Mercedes Benz 300SD 320K (SOLD)
2004 Mercedes Benz C240 75K
1995 GMC Sierra 2WD 5.7L 188K
1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD 239K (SOLD)
1987 BMW 325i 220K (SOLD FOR SALVAGE)

609 Certification

That's good to know. I don't want to have to drop another one but, DANG... those bushing bolts were tight. There was no way the inner bolts would come out on the W123 without pulling the flex disc.