C-2

Question for those who wrench - If a spring compressor is rented, is this a DIY?
Has anybody else done it?
Seems pretty straight forward?
Is there some magic tool shops use?

Looking for input from those with experience or knowledge. I know there will be follow-up after the job (aligment/balancing/camber).

Thanx in advance

cragigotgame

I did mine, not at all easy for me but I got er done. Rear springs and shocks are a cake walk. The front is the hard part. The passenger side shock is a bear to take out due to the limited work area under the hood to hold the bottom nut while you untighten the top one. And spring compressors can be scary. If you use spring compressors use an impact wrench it will save about 8 hours of wrench turning.

Richard / E320

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-2

Question for those who wrench - If a spring compressor is rented, is this a DIY?
Has anybody else done it?
Seems pretty straight forward?
Is there some magic tool shops use?

Looking for input from those with experience or knowledge. I know there will be follow-up after the job (aligment/balancing/camber).

Thanx in advance

Had a shop do the work on my '01 but I watched and it seemed pretty straight forward. Of course, the tech has done this many times before so naturally he made it look easy. Most important is having a proper spring compressor and using a lift sped thing up quite a bit..

Also, do your home work so you know ahead of time if you want to change out the spring pads, so you don't have to do it twice.

SDR

Many places rent the inappropriate compressors. You need the Klann style (I think that's the name) where there are "pads" that sit on the top and bottom of the springs and a threaded insert that does the compressing. The kind that latch on to the outside won't fit and are deadly spring flingers.
I've done this job a few times now and can get it done in under an hour. First timer with the right tools could be two to three hours, but no need to rush - go slow and be safe.

uberwgn

If you've ever changed struts you should be able to do this job. The shocks are straight forward. Having a compressor/impact gun are a big help, as noted.

C-2

Thanks for the input guys...looks like a new project in the very near future.
I don't need many excuses to finally pop for an impact wrench!

doggmbz

Let us know how the job goes. I'm interested in doing the same. Post some pics if you get the chance..

raymond g-

while I have these all together right now, I'll bump/post and hope the links
stay intact for a while. at the top of the spring...between the top coil and
the shock mount, you'll see the black rubber spacer...which fits over the
top of the coil. so the first pic actually shows the spacer upside down on
the chair.

210 321 0184 5mm
210 321 0284 9mm
210 321 0384 13mm
210 321 0484 17mm
210 321 0585 21mm
You can check the pad number by feeling the bumps on the pad itself






spring change video - 50mb

my E430 rocket

so in that video, thats all u have to do to change the spring and pad in a w210?

uberwgn

Nice video. Too bad the Klann is so much $$$.

michakaveli

There is a good spring compressor that I have found with the help of another forum member elsewhere. It is a good replacement for the KLANN compressor. I will post the link later as it can be purchased from ZDMak on eBay. I've been looking into this for a while but also have been looking for a good and safe spring compressor that works with the w210... Currently it's on eBay now going for about $279.99 -

raymond g-

...to be more accurate, here are part #s from Ted Baldwin post earlier this year

C-2

Thanks for the vid ray - way cool.
Just need the time to do it

illest

Is this the same on a 4-matic?

raymond g-

having seen the underside of a 4matic, i doubt it would be as easily depicted
in the video. count on much more complex hardware to get in the way. ugh.
...but i've not had to work on a 4matic....yet.