Got a spring compressor?

[njgilligan]

I'm looking to swap the spring pads on my w208 CLK55. I was able to get the rears using the floor jack method, but I think I better use a spring compressor for the fronts. I'm looking for the dual disk style compressor (Klan style). Please let me know if you have one you're willing to lend or rent. I'm in the Boston area, and would give you a deposit and cover shipping if necessary. thanks.

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[dlbehrns]

Unless you can find one to borrow in your area you may have to rent one from someone at a distance and by the time you paid to rent and ship it both ways you are half way to owning your own. I came across a nice fellow who was willing to ship his to me with a deposit but I had to pay for shipping both ways. Wasn't worth the effort even though what he was asking was reasonable. FWIW you will find that you don't realize much of a gain/loss in height by changing spring pads alone unless you are going from a 5 to a 1 and then I think the difference is like .62 inch. A littel over 1/2 an inch can help. If you want to lower your car consider a spring change as well. I bought one of these but don't remember which one it was and I've used it more than once. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...All-Categories

[njgilligan]

I was thinking the same thing about new springs, but with the potholes we have in this area, plus speed bumps, and the lip on my driveway, I don't want to drop it too low. For $30 I figured I'd try the pads and see how it looks. The fronts are at a 5 now, so it won't be much, but should be noticeable.

Thanks for the link. I guess it might be worth buying one in case I decide to do the springs later.

[dlbehrns]

All depends on how low you want to go. Some here have removed the pads completely and say they have no problems. What are their roads like? I had #5s in front and #3s in back and now have Vogltand springs and #3s and #1s and Bilstein shocks. I wanted to stay with the same oem level but lower. I got stiffer ride and a nice drop but not a slam. Vogtland are not a progressive rate spring like Eibach. The roads in my area(Nebraska)suck also but I adjusted by slightly changing my driving habits when I encountered situations that you described. Just slow down a bit. Also: IMO if you stay with a 17 or 18 inch rim your tire sidewalls will still give enough flexion to keep the ride comfortable. Some go to 19 and 20 inch but I could never live with those in my area. Whatever works best for you....

[njgilligan]

I have 5's in the front, and I just swapped the rears from a 3 to a 1. I'm happy with the rear, and I already have 2s for the fronts, so I'll give it a try and see how it looks. I took your advice and bought the compressor on ebay, so we'll see in about a week.

I am thinking of new wheels, and although I've been pretty tempted by the look of a few sets of 19s, I'll probably stick to 18s for the reasons you mentioned. I'll wait to make the call on springs until I get the wheels.

Also after about a week, I'll have a set of spring compressors to lend if someone in the Boston area needs 'em.

[jbenz2001]

Damn njgilligan,if I would of seen this thread earlier I would have lended you mine.im located in springfield,mass.its very easy to do the fronts.you don't even have to take your wheels off if you don't want to.

[njgilligan]

Heh, yeah I guess I got a little impatient. I figure I'll have a need for it more than once. I didn't even think of leaving the wheels on, I guess I can just turn the wheel for easier access.

By the way, there's an MBWorld meet in Waltham in April:
Boston Meet
I'm not sure if you saw it, but there should be some great cars if you're up for the drive.

[jbenz2001]

Yeah that's what I did,I just turned the wheels and saved myself some time.oh yeah the whole no springpad thing,don't do it.its a ***** trying to position the compressor after if you wanna put a pad back on.
yeah im down for the meet.hopefully I can get my car decent shape to show it off lol.

[jonUF02]

FYI: Advance Auto Parts lists a spring compressor as part of their free tool loaner program. I don't know if you have one around there, but maybe other stores have similar programs.

[njgilligan]

I didn't go to Advance, but I did go to Autozone. The compressor they have didn't work. It's the kind with the hooks that are supposed to grab the spring coils and pull down from the bottom of the control arm. The spacing and ID of the coils are too tight to use this kind of compressor. I presume Advance has the same, or a similar style.

[Pancho]

I rented one from a helpful fellow on the forum. $25 shipping each way, total $50. Ebay has them for $200. My math shows that I'm up $150.

I had gone to Advance, Autozone, Oreilly, and Napa, and they all had the hook type, not the disk type.

[njgilligan]

I changed out my spring pads today, went from 5s to 2s in the front, and from 3s to 1s out back. I'm glad I bought the compressor, because now I'm thinking I will do springs at some point to get it a bit lower. I'll wait until I get some wheels to make the call.

Anyway, now that I have the spring compressor, I'll make it available to other members. Shoot me an email or pm if you want to borrow it.