Coil Spring compressor and a Strut comrpressor

[glenmore]

I just did the springs on my MBZ 300CE this past weekend and it was frustrating without the correct tool. I tried 3 types of compressors and only one worked and even then I had to monkey with it. I rented 2 from AutoZone and eventually bought the 3rd set ($36) when the other 2 didn't work. It is definitely worth renting these tools to see if they will work with your particular situation. You can tell pretty quickly if they will work or not. After my experience, I would say the Klann style compressor (with plates and center screw) is the way to go with Mercedes. But the Klann is pretty pricy, ~$300. The knockoff ones on ebay look to be fine and are about $180.

The three I tried are exactly like the 3 types offered in the Snap-On catalog. Wouldn't be surprised if they were the same manufacturer. There is the one with 4 hooks and 2 screws that fit on the outside of the spring. This one didn't work because you couldn't get the hooks on the compressed spring. The second type had an internal screw with hooks on top and a spatula like bottom plate. Here after you threaded the hooks into the spring and got one of the hooks on, you couldn't flip the other hook up to engage the spring. The 3rd style is a center screw with a pair of hooks as shown in that photo with the red boxes. I got these to work only because the hooks are removable and I just reassembled the hooks inside the spring.

If you use these types of compressors, get ready for a real workout.

 

[xurusaibobx]

have anyone come across working on jaguars? their coil springs are tappered design.. ive used the cheapo design 2 piece ones cant seem to make it work...

going use a otc strut tamer next see if that can do the job..

 

[mtkst19]

glenmore--- i just bought the ebay mercedes coil spring kit. the seller had it drop shipped to my door from baum tools. funny thing is i paid 200 off ebay and baum lists it on their site for 600+. since i bought it, i have done 3 sets of benz rear springs in the last month. down to less than an hour to do them on a rack. a lot easier than what i was doing before.


xurusaibobx: i have this older gp spring compressor that works on rear jag springs. the front live springs i jack car up and drop the lower a arm method w/ a safety chain. As for the gp setup, i have two styles that gp made. one is this air one. the other is the all thread style where i wind in the lead screw via air gun and it contracts/expands the jaws. the air one is same principal but i push a button and it goes in, or push a button and it goes out. as you see, the jaws are removable. pretty neat setup. here is pics i found off the net of what i have and an illustration of what jag shows to use for the rear as well as the front!