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I just rolled over 170000km or about 105000 miles so I figured a suspension upgrade was due. Recently while inspecting my front chassis I noticed a cracked spring in the front. Wouldnt you know 3 out of 4 of them were cracked. So that sped up the process for me. My only real worry is ride height as I've researched this setup through and through and feel its the perfect mix of performance and comfort. I also just got a new front bumper so going too low is not a good idea. Worse case scenario I may have to purchase thicker spring pads....which should probably be replaced along with the full overhaul anyways. Ill try to document as much as I can. Im also looking at doing the rear right bearing but not too sure if ill get around to that in the this thread.
Car is a 2002 Clk 430 and currently sits on 18x8 and 18x9.5 aftermarket rims.
Im by no means no expert but will give it a shot.
Now the search is on for an internal clamp style spring compressor.
I just bought the exacat same setup... got most of it from Amazon and doing my brakes too while i am in there... I am looking for that spring compressor too... most of the ones on Amazon dont list our cars in the application, but I do think it will work. Searching this forum now for some insight.
This is the best price you'll find on a W208 Compressor Kit: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Telescopic-Coil-Spring-Compressor-Strut-Tool-For-Mercedes-Benz-W123-W114-W202-/121685994300?hash=item1c550ceb3c&item=121685994300&vxp=mtr
$95.00
I'm running the HR Springs and they're great. They were on the car when I purchased it and the previous owner was running them without any isolator pads. That was too low and harsh for my tastes, so I installed 17mm pads front and rear to restore to a more reasonable ride height.
Last edited by Aussiesuede; 09-10-2015 at 02:30 PM.
I found these two that may work...although I'm still gonna do a quick run to a few local autoparts stores to see if I can avoid buying online.
I wish I had waited to do my brakes...I did them about 5000 miles ago...along with tie rod and lower ball joint...argh...this would have been perfect to do all in one.
I found these two that may work...although I'm still gonna do a quick run to a few local autoparts stores to see if I can avoid buying online.
I wish I had waited to do my brakes...I did them about 5000 miles ago...along with tie rod and lower ball joint...argh...this would have been perfect to do all in one.
The internal one works but is a colossal pain the *** to use. It seriously added hours onto the install time with how many times it got stuck. Maybe my friend and I are just dumb but we never figured out the trick to using those efficiently during either of the times we had to use it (1 time on my CLK, the other when lifting my jeep). Next time I decide to mess with springs I will pony up the cash and buy a good compressor.
Note, the internal is the one they offer for rent at O'Reilly's.
Looking forward to the end result. Here in the US, you can rent spring compressors from some places like Autozone. You can also look into renting a bay and most places gives you access to all the equipment.
Unfortunately most ebay guys wont ship this to me in Canada...which is weird...I will keep looking.
KRis
FWIW, El Paso Tools is a Division of Northern Tool in El Paso Texas, which does have a website that ships to Canada. Here is their direct phone number if you care to call and explain your needs to them directly:
915-613-1348
The Model Number of the Spring Compressor you're seeking is: #RL924-0231
FWIW, El Paso Tools is a Division of Northern Tool in El Paso Texas, which does have a website that ships to Canada. Here is their direct phone number if you care to call and explain your needs to them directly:
915-613-1348
The Model Number of the Spring Compressor you're seeking is: #RL924-0231
Excellent. I think we are going to try a friends external clamp style one first but if it looks too shady I will end up buying a kit and maybe re-selling on the forum later.
If you're extremely lucky and the sun is shining just so, you may get the external clamp types to work. Save yourself a ton of time and buy the proper spring compressor. While you may not resell it immediately, you will sooner or later because W 208 and W 209 springs commonly break. Good luck with the repair.
Well I finally got around to changing my shocks and springs on my 2002 CLK 430 and did not use a spring compressor. Just common sense and a few good quality floor jacks. The front control arm drops out of the way enough that you can take a spring out and put it back in. I recall the passenger side spring was tougher to re-install as you need a little more clearance since the spring notch site on the opposite side of the spring access hole...but nothing that a helper didn't accomplish. If you are replacing factory springs with aftermarket lowering springs then it's even easier to re-install as they are about an inch shorter than stock.
I agree that the spring compressor would make it easier and safer but I would say it's not a REQUIREMENT if you have done work with springs before.
The rear shocks and springs are a breeze.
As for ride quality I got to say it's a massive improvement over what I had...but I had 3 broken springs and shocks with 100,000 miles on them. The handling is very nice and they still ride quite soft. I notice my braking is smoother and power gets down to the wheels much better. Overall a great setup for the CLK. No clearance issues with a number 4 pad in the front and number 2 pad in the rear. Slight forward rake which is what I wanted. I will post pics once I clean her up a bit...afterall it is winter in Canada.
DISCLAIMER: IF YOU DECIDE NOT TO USE A MERCEDES BENZ SPRING COMPRESSOR AND USE EXTERNAL STYLE COMPRESSOR DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK
Not looking to hijack the thread but if your interested in a similar setup I have a BRAND NEW STILL IN BOX KONI SPORT suspension kit for sale. I recently sold my w208 CLK and I never got around to installing the suspension on my car. That said, I have also created a thread in the classified section: https://mbworld.org/forums/suspensio...ml#post6690808
Price: $450 OBO
Thank you, drive safe!
Last edited by CLK430Benz; 01-28-2016 at 02:22 PM.
09-09-2015, 06:47 PM
