Got a spring compressor?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
2001 CLK55
Got a spring compressor?
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.
thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,435
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From: Nebraska
99CLK320,
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
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
2001 CLK55
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.
Thanks for the link. I guess it might be worth buying one in case I decide to do the springs later.
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Nebraska
99CLK320,
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....
Last edited by dlbehrns; Jan 29, 2012 at 11:17 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
2001 CLK55
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.
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.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 665
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From: springfield,mass
2001 clk 320
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.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
2001 CLK55
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:
https://mbworld.org/forums/events-ga...on-meet-4.html
I'm not sure if you saw it, but there should be some great cars if you're up for the drive.
By the way, there's an MBWorld meet in Waltham in April:
https://mbworld.org/forums/events-ga...on-meet-4.html
I'm not sure if you saw it, but there should be some great cars if you're up for the drive.
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 665
Likes: 1
From: springfield,mass
2001 clk 320
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.
yeah im down for the meet.hopefully I can get my car decent shape to show it off lol.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
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.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 252
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From: San Francisco, CA
2001 CLK55
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 494
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From: Amber waves of grain.
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet
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.
I had gone to Advance, Autozone, Oreilly, and Napa, and they all had the hook type, not the disk type.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
2001 CLK55
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.
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.
