Has anyone experience with the replacement of Mercedes front springs? With some googeling I found how it is supposed to be done with the correct tools: Mercedes spring tensioner

Has anyone experience with this kind of tools? Or maybe home made tools?
Cheap solution


I understand that it's very dangerous to do this without the correct tools.

Maarten

but those are just simple standard spings


I've used these types of compressors many times and they will work perfectly well on the merc regardless of what NASA tools they recommend you buy







[Edited on 4/12/08 by Mr Whippy]

You can do it with three small ratchet straps. The kind that you use to hold bikes etc on trailers.

Not H+S approved but doable. Just watch yer fingers

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I've used these types of compressors many times and they will work perfectly well on the merc regardless of what NASA tools they recommend you buy

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You can do it with three small ratchet straps. The kind that you use to hold bikes etc on trailers. Not H+S approved but doable.

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It’s dead easy and 1500kgs is not all that heavy, you should have tried this on my volvo...

Do it this way -

1 - Disconnect the anti roll bar mounting (pink arrow) probably just as well to do the other side too

2 - Compress spring till it’s loose in the wishbone

3 - Disconnect the lower ball joint (blue arrow) and swing the bottom wishbone down out the way

Assembly is just the reversem, but clean the balljoint cone in petrol and jack the wishbone up against the hub taking the weight of the car before tighting the balljoint nut.


Description

pointless suspension design, they should have used a standard macpherson strut, then they could have used a lighter wishbone and the bushes would last longer




[Edited on 4/12/08 by Mr Whippy]

There is nothing inherent to Mercs that makes this job more dangerous on them. Its just they are heavy (ish) cars so have big springs.

If you're not careful compressed car springs can cause horrific injuries if they uncoil when don't intend them to and you're close to them with your face/head for example.

While you could do it with ratchet straps for safety's sake I'd strongly recommend buying or borrowing the proper tools.

They aren't expensive >£15, eg:

http://www.pvrdirect.co.uk/productinfo.aspx?catref=68615

Or just ebay google for Draper 68615 if that model is suitable for you etc...

Thanks, I will look into this matter.

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There is nothing inherent to Mercs that makes this job more dangerous on them

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tried it on a merc 190 once,the springs are a smaller diameter and the bottom pan gets in the way so you cant use normal compressors.
i wouldnt personally take the risk,you can literally loose your face if it goes pearshaped.
either hire the proper tool or get someone with the tool to do it

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either hire the proper tool or get someone with the tool to do it

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the tool "looks" ok but i would have to have it in my hands to see if i would use it,is it cheap pressed or proper steel?.
do you know of the supplier?
i nearly took my eye out when a clamp slipped and the spring went flying,cut me deep just under my eye and has taught me to handle them with great respect.

I dont know the supplier and expect the tool to be Chinese rubbish.

Based on your experience as well I will contact local garages if they can help me out.

On the youtube link it seems to be a 5 minutes job...

I've been hit in the face by a Mondeo spring. It was only a glancing blow and I was already turning away but trust me, you don't want to get hit by one!
I've also seen a Renault spring fly about 30 years ago. It went twice across the workshop, through a window (taking part of the frame with it) and hit a house across the road.

Without the right tool don't take the risk. It can be done but if it goes wrong it'll hurt...a lot!

adrian