Jim Banville

I am mechanically inclined (for example - I just had to raise the engine in my old F-150 to change the oil pump. I've also done extensive brake work). I'd like to put lowering springs on my C240. I would like to do it myself if possible. On an old car I had years ago, if you jacked up the rear enough, the rear spring would completely uncompress allowing easy removal/installation. Does it work like this on the W203? I assume for the fronts I would need to (1) remove wheel (2) detach lower control arm from spindle assembly and (3) unscrew strut from engine bay. The strut/spring assembly would then fall out. I could then take that assembly to a shop to have them remove old spring and install new one. Is this all correct? I'd really LOVE to have instructions from someone who has done this so I don't have any surprises

KWiK

Yes, I have changed my springs myself. It is not difficult and I have access to several different spring compressors.

I'm doing this while sitting at my desk and not in front of the car so forgive me if I miss something.

Front:
Remove the strut by removing the top nut then put the front of the car on jack stands. Remove the nut holding the sway bar end link to the strut and the two bolts at the lower end of the strut. Cut the zip-tie holding the plastic brake line holder and remove that. Pull the strut out. Place the stut in a spring compressor and compress(A Branick or Klann #KL-9002 work great). Remove the damper rod nut with Klann tool # KL-0050-50 or something equal. Pull strut apart and replace spring with new one. Assemble in reverse.

Rear:
Place car on jack stands. Compress spring with Klann tool #KL-0021-K and remove spring. Assemble in reverse.


Hope that helps.

mdp c230k

If you don't have a compressor you can rent one at any good parts place or tool rental cheaply.

KWiK

Please do NOT use a cheap compressor like this:

xc240x

i've done it myself also and it isn't hard... my car is the first car i lowered... and i replaced, shocks, struts and springs

Jim Banville

Thanks xC240x! What "special" tools did you use? Did you have a shop decompress/compress the front springs in the struts? How much must you compress the rear factory springs to get them out once you raise the vehicle and remove the wheel?

thanks!!!!!!
Jim

tberry

Maybe the C240 assembly is different b/c on the C230coupe the springs and struts are seperate from each other (well as far as I can see) where normally the strut is inside the spring.

daniel

On the back of my car we did it on a lift, just remove the plastic cover, 1 or 2 screws, and then remove the last bolt on the lower arm, the bolt closest to the middle of the car, we didn't compress the spring and it was okay. It literally took 5 minutes to remove the rear springs.