Removing spring from 108 rear end....

[Idle]

I have been asked to guide someone through removing and installing a real axle spring on a 108.

I am guessing there is a tool for this? I've replaced a few hydrocompsators but never a spring. Any trick to this?

And where would I get such a tool. Would this just require some small spring compressors; one on each side like a front suspension spring?

[fonzi]

I’ve never installed, but don’t think there was much pressure on the spring I removed when the car was up in the air. I do think i remember the spring being a little twisted/arched.

I don’t really know though.


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[knapster]

Buy a couple of spring compressors for motorcycles. They are smaller and do the trick.

[Benz Dr.]

Much easier way to do this.

Raise the car so that both rear axles are hanging down. Remove the outer screw on the retainer on the right hand side of the spring. At this point you will need to use a hooked bar that you place inside of the pocket on the spring retainer. Using a bit of upwards pressure on the bar, slowly undo the inner screw holding the retainer in place. The bracket should swivel down and release the last bit of tension on the spring. The bracket was designed to do it this way.

[Idle]

Thanks all. Now I am shopping for some new rubber to go on the ends. I might just be able to use the same type of rubber that is used on front springs for a cushion.

Thanks again.

[Benz Dr.]

Originally Posted by Idle

Thanks all. Now I am shopping for some new rubber to go on the ends. I might just be able to use the same type of rubber that is used on front springs for a cushion.

Thanks again.

There are spring pads available for this spring. Try to get ones that are same thickness as the ones you removed or you might end up having problems with rear wheel camber.

[Idle]

Originally Posted by Benz Dr.

There are spring pads available for this spring. Try to get ones that are same thickness as the ones you removed or you might end up having problems with rear wheel camber.

I was beginning to get that impression from the shopping I was doing. It's good to hear that I was right. Apparently it was a common thing during the time to have the dealer replace the rubber pad to get the camber just right.

It was all a part of the alignment process.

I can remember the first time I heard the term 'four wheel alignment'. It sounded weird, but the mechanics showed me what they were doing and how independent rear ends needed it, too.

I got the impression then they were explaining this to a lot of people like me who found the process somewhat strange. I mean, I never had to do it on my Fords or Dodges!

[Benz Dr.]

Camber is sort always changing on these cars. When you hit a bump or even when you have a full tank of fuel so will your camber change with load or movement. I would find the basic setting and try to get it in that range so that the axle moves through that amount but still manages to return near the optimal setting.