Spring Removal
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 405
Likes: 12
From: Sacramento, CA
W204 C300 2010
Spring Removal
I have a couple of questions about removing the coil springs. Do you need a spring compressor to remove the front/rear coils? When replacing the coils with shorter lowering springs, do you need the compressor to get them back in?
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
No, you don't need a spring compressor. But it makes it a lot easier and safer if you have the proper one. The wrong one can make it more difficult and more dangerous.
-s-
-s-
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 405
Likes: 12
From: Sacramento, CA
W204 C300 2010
scorchie - Have you removed the front coils from your W210 before? Back in the day, I have taken out springs on Fox bodied Mustangs and early Monties like yours. I didn't use a compressor then either. For both the Fords and Chevys, I was able to raise or jack up the front end high enough so the lower control arms could be lowered (after the ball joint and shock was free), then was able to use a floor jack to let the control arm droop down. For the Monty, the spring still needed to be pulled out with a crow bar. My main concern is that the W210 lower control arm my not go down far enough to pull the front coils out. The rear looks like they will come out when the lower shock mount is removed. If you have any other tips, they would be appreciated.
Thanks,
rob lee
Thanks,
rob lee
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
I never took the springs out of the Monte Carlo... heh heh. But my Fox Mustang was a McPherson strut! So it is completely different.
Here's a tip for the rear springs... remove the lower control arm bolt from the inside while the arm is supported by a jack. That's all you need to do. MB specifies that this bolt get replaced if it is removed.
For the front, removing the bolts is more difficult (as it is an A-arm), so you do need to remove the shock and the ball joint. A crowbar may be still necessary, but that's why I have the proper spring compressor. Takes about 10 minutes per side!
-s-
Here's a tip for the rear springs... remove the lower control arm bolt from the inside while the arm is supported by a jack. That's all you need to do. MB specifies that this bolt get replaced if it is removed.
For the front, removing the bolts is more difficult (as it is an A-arm), so you do need to remove the shock and the ball joint. A crowbar may be still necessary, but that's why I have the proper spring compressor. Takes about 10 minutes per side!
-s-
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 405
Likes: 12
From: Sacramento, CA
W204 C300 2010
Hi scorchie - Where did you get our spring compressor? Did you have to pay the $400+ for the set? It is good to know that they come out easily with the right compressor.
rob lee
rob lee
