Vinster02

We'll I recieved my H&R spings. Can someone point me to an installation guide, or link that details the job? I live in sonoma county. is there a shop that is within 100 miles that is experienced with this type work? thanks, For your help, Vince....

W124FAN

Hi Vince:
I just install H&R Sport Spring with Bilstein shock last month. Got everything installed in a friend's shop, he is located in San Jose, let me know if you need the help!

Vinster02

W124FAN, I'm intrested int the shop info. I usually preform this type of work myself on other cars. However I am not to sure about this one. With good directions I woldn't worry to much,but I don't want to learn as i go this time...Also have you got any pics of your coupe before & after the spring/shock install? Thanks, Vince..

sonomarin@comcast.net

cap'n jasper

Hi,
Which springs did you get? There are two part numbers for the E320 coupe.
I don't recommend changing the front springs yourself unless you have good (ie MB) spring compressors. The cheap ones are almost impossible to use on the 124.
The rear springs are easier to change.

Vinster02

Yes, the fronts are very difficult. I began working on them yesterday. I was using a set of standard spring compressors. I had to grind down the lip part so that they would slide between the coils. After colasing the coil to near touching eachother, the entire assembly seemed very dangerous. I then released the compessors & decided not to proceed without direction from someone experienced with the job. I am glad to hear that the rears are easier. Does the spring colapse & come out without unbolting the lower control arm? Or do you have to release the tension of the spring then unbolt the lower control arm in order to remove the spring ? I sure don't need to be preforming any extra work here...

H&R sping no. :29569HA
:29569VA

W124FAN

Hi Vince
Check your mail
: )

Vinster02

W124FAN: your car looks very nice. i can't wait to get the springs installed. i'll either post or send you some pics. The car is sitting on 18x8.5 Brabus Mono IV Chrome.

cap'n jasper

Like I said before those cheap spring compressors are almost useless on the 124.
If I was you I'd get someone else to do it. With the correct compressors you don't need to remover the lower control arm.
If you are going to do it yourself you can drop the arm as you'll have to get the alignment reset anyway.
For the rears, put the car on axle stands or a ramp - put a trolley jack under the wheel and compress the spring a bit that way - attach the spring compressors - lower the wheel - put the trolley jack under the control arm (with a block of wood) - undo the control arm bolt and lower it with the jack - remove the spring.

Vinster02

Thanks, CAP.
I beleive that I would rather purchase the correct spring compressor. Then I could do the job myself, I've not had good luck letting other people work on my cars... So as I understand there will be no need to remove lower control arms if i'm using the correct tool. The springs will simply collapse enough that the spring & tool assembly can rotate & be pulled out... That sounds like its worth the cost of the tool. Its looking like 250.00-300.00 to let someone else do the job. I'm not very trusting of the world of auto repair..

cap'n jasper

Hi Vinster,
The proper compressors will cost you far more than that.
I changed mine using the cheap ones and carefully lowering the control arm.
I have a ramp in my garage and it's still not easy.
Unbolting the control arm is not really a problem because it'll need re-aligning after anyway.


The springs I'm using are H&R part number 29569-2. If these are the same as yours and our cars are the same spec I'd recommend using 2 or 3 bump pads. 1 bump is a bit low for wheel alignment and 4 is a bit high.

Edit....
Just seen this on your previous post
Not sure what HA and VA mean? H&R quote 29569-1 & 29569-2 for this model. Maybe it's printed on the box somewhere?