JACK140

help

Ive had a W140 for around a year now but noticed the front coil spring had broken two inches from the bottom. Had a go at changing the spring but am now stuck.

Was able to take the old spring off on but no way can I get the new one to fit. Had a mobile mechanic out to give it a go but he went off without being able to fit it.

Im unable to move the car for obvious reasons so would really like some advice on how to fit the spring.

Is there a special tool available or can I hire one ? Money tight of course but my Merc been off the road for four weeks now so would love any help to get her back on the road again

Any help please this is my first Merc and I love it

javaco888

you have to rent/buy a coil spring compressor tool... takes a while to do, but its the only way... at least that i know of.... i've used on japanese cars a long time ago... dunno what technology has come out since then... so it might be different... not exactly sure how the w140 suspension looks like, but i'm sure its the same concept... it compresses the spring, so you can fit it in.... and then decompress it when its seated in there... good luck!

JACK140

thanks for taking the time to answer
I have tried using coil spring compressors but am unable to get the spring in place with them on as the bracket is in the way vertically along both sides.
Thinking I may need to compress the spring from the inside, is there a special tool or way to do this.
Where can I buy or rent a tool for the job? HELP PLEASE

javaco888

oh, you don't put the tool on top of each spring... you use it in the middle coils, not the ends... so that compress the inner coils, but the ends can still be seated in the housings.... unless the one i used is different than the one you used....

i used something like this:
http://autorepair.about.com/od/tools..._spng-cmpr.htm

it hooks on to coils (on each side)and then you use an impact gun or wrench and tighten evenly on both sides, until the spring is compressed enough....

i found this one online... i guess this is how they're made now... i would confirm first tho, if that will work with w140....
http://www.alltradetools.com/EN-189.htm

or this one maybe?
http://www.performanceproducts4benz....X&dept_id=6429

again, i've never used any of these places or those type of tools... just found them online... i would try autozone first... perhaps they have it available for rental...

javaco888

oh wow... i just went outside and checked out the suspension... i can see where you mean where there's no space.... if its hollow underneath the spring, maybe the alltrade one would work.. it looks like that tube in the middle that grips the arms might fit from out the bottom....

check out this guys DIY for some ideas...
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w140...-bushings.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w140...placement.html

there's a pic of this guy using a spring compressor when dissassembling...
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w140...t-springs.html

valu8or

I have done this on different cars, but it may work for yours.

Compress the spring on the ground and use zip ties to hold it in it's compressed state. Slip the spring in, cut the ties and pull them out with pliers.

This has worked for me with other vehicles, so it may work for your car. You will need to use to good quality zip ties and it is going to take more than 2 on the spring to hold it.

Good luck.

mshari12

Thanks

JACK140

bought a coil spring compressor which fits inside the spring. cost me $100 from ebay. did the job in half an hour then sold compressor back on ebay for £120. just goes to show its worth having the correct tool for the job..

mercmech1

I'm a mobile mechanic and Ive just fitted front coils springs on a W140 using conventional individual coil spring compressors.

email me at rob.outram@lycos.com if you want some advice on how to do it with conventional spring compressors like i did.