Spring Removal

[Mike51809]

How the hell do you remove the springs??

[shizzy]

ive got the same question I just bought some struts but am planning on springs and ball joints to complete the suspension.

[Mike51809]

Our cars don't use struts though? Lol I'm sure someone has to know with everyone changing their suspension

[MikeD]

Spring compressor. I've only managed to do my front springs so far, and the spring compressor was definitely necessary to get the springs out. Each coil was either touching or nearly touching and the springs still barely came out.

On a side note, Mercedes spring compressors are nice, but most of the ones you see online only include the longer bar for compression. For the W202, I'm pretty sure you actually need the shorter bar as well to do the rear springs. I still have not been successful with a spring compressor on my rear springs.

[Mike51809]

Then how is everyone lowering there cars n changing pads so easy??

[98Benzo]

Yeah I plan on putting in new shocks and h&r springs with-in the next week...Is my mechanic going to have issues taking these springs out???

[hvmercy]

The best and safest way to remove your coil suspension springs is by using a compressor. It's best to google it and find a KLann brand.


How the hell do you remove the springs??

[hvmercy]

Our W202 cars don't use struts. LOL!


ive got the same question I just bought some struts but am planning on springs and ball joints to complete the suspension.

[Mike51809]

It seems like you need air to get the tool tight enough though? I tried with the one from autozone

[hvmercy]

No air needed. The following video is not Mercedes specific but you'll get the idea.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QaT6o8fJ1Q


It seems like you need air to get the tool tight enough though? I tried with the one from autozone

[Mike51809]

I'm not sure why they said they needed the compressor though

[hvmercy]

This is the right tool for our cars.

http://www.handsontools.com/Klann-Tools-KL-0016-5-Spring-Compressor-for-Mercedes_p_20348.html#

I'll put this in my Christmas wish list. LOL!

[Mike51809]

Wow that's expensive lol

[wichipong]

Then how is everyone lowering there cars n changing pads so easy??

easiest fastest way is with a klann mercedes spring compressor

[wichipong]

This is the right tool for our cars.

http://www.handsontools.com/Klann-Tools-KL-0016-5-Spring-Compressor-for-Mercedes_p_20348.html#

I'll put this in my Christmas wish list. LOL!


ill put it on my want list. hahaha

[Mike51809]

I wish I had that kind of money.. I tried the autozone compressor again and took the shock off to let it droop more this time but the bottom coil didn't wanna come out at all...I got soo close lol

[Dearlove]

no ordinary spring compressor will do, it has to be an internal spring compressor.

What do you mean these cars don't have struts.... they don't use magic....

[Mike51809]

Well I guess my car isn't getting lowered for a while lol Struts are the spring and shock combined for like front wheel drive or pretty much everything in newer cars lol

[MikeD]

Your best bet is hiring one of those retired MB techs that work out of their/your garage. There's one around here that quoted me $300 to install my eibach springs and Bilstein shocks, much cheaper than buying a Klaan, just a bit more expensive than the Ebay tool.

[wichipong]

Your best bet is hiring one of those retired MB techs that work out of their/your garage. There's one around here that quoted me $300 to install my eibach springs and Bilstein shocks, much cheaper than buying a Klaan, just a bit more expensive than the Ebay tool.

or do it yourself with a buddy, some pizza and booze!

lol

[MikeD]

I just finished lowering my car today and I took a few install pics if you're wondering just how much the springs have to be compressed to get them out. I used a MB spring compressor up front and a combination of the spring compressor and LCA drop method for the rear (for safety and ease of installation).

[wichipong]

I just finished lowering my car today and I took a few install pics if you're wondering just how much the springs have to be compressed to get them out. I used a MB spring compressor up front and a combination of the spring compressor and LCA drop method for the rear (for safety and ease of installation).

post pics! where'd u get the mb spring compressor?

[Mike51809]

Yeah man post some pics!

[MikeD]

Front Eibach spring compressed (not enough to remove or put back on car):
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc287/hgpolak/20120801_192426.jpg

Front Eibach spring compressed even more (compressed enough to remove or put on car):
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc287/hgpolak/20120801_193450.jpg

Eibach rear spring (top) vs. OEM rear spring (bottom):
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc287/hgpolak/20120801_135140.jpg

Spring pads (From left to right: #4 rear, #2 front, #1 rear):
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc287/hgpolak/20120801_134610.jpg

Front spring with compressor in (uncompressed):
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc287/hgpolak/2012-07-11_1403091.jpg

MB Compressor used (ebay compressor):
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc287/hgpolak/2012-07-09_1630481.jpg

Overall, this compressor made the job pretty easy for the fronts and made dropping the LCA in the rear safer (because the spring won't fly out if you compress it before dropping the LCA). The rod from the compressor is too long to take the rear spring out without dropping the LCA. This is why the real MB compressor uses two separate rods to compress the springs (one for the rear, one for the front).

Hope this helps.

[Mike51809]

Great pics man! I'm just wondering how do you get it out of the middle of the spring?

[wichipong]

pics of the drop!!

and did you buy that compressor? or rented it?

[MikeD]

The compressor rod hooks onto the plates via 3 prongs at the top of the rod that fit into notches on the plates. You remove/insert the rod by lifting it up and twisting it so it passes through the holes in the plates. The LCAs on our cars all have a hole at the bottom which is aligned with the middle of the spring. This allows the MB spring compressor to enter/leave the center of spring when the spring is installed. The car was engineered to use a special tool for suspension work.

I bought this tool so if my car was too low for the winter here, I could change the springs back. I'll post a big picture thread of my car when I finish some other works in progress :)

[Mike51809]

That makes more sense lol how much did you buy the tool for? Does anyone rent them?

[MikeD]

It was $189 shipped I think. Nobody in my area rents them because they probably aren't compatible with too many cars outside of MB. I'd consider renting mine to people who are decently close to chicago though.

[Mike51809]

Damn that adds a lot to the price of springs.. Welp that's gonna have to wait then lol

[wichipong]

idk if the ones you can rent out at like oreilly or auto zone would work... the last time i asked the new auto zone by my house they showed me something that might work...

[Mike51809]

What did it look like?

[C43inNC]

So when I dropped my C230K, we did none of this. We just yanked the old springs out and put the lowering springs in.

[hvmercy]

not really recommended even by professional and hobby mechanics. Those things pack a lot of energy. Safety first.


So when I dropped my C230K, we did none of this. We just yanked the old springs out and put the lowering springs in.

[Mike51809]

How did you get them out then??

[C43inNC]

Well I sat at my buddys shop for 2 hours while he figured it out. But I swear, got them off, put the Vogtlands on, and I was rollin.

[C43inNC]

From my mechanic: "tell them the springs dont pack much pressure when the cars on the lift maybe 25 psi un bolt lower control arm and give the spring a tug any kind of normal spring compressor will work"

[Mike51809]

From the lower ball joint or the inside of it with the bushings?

[C43inNC]

"In side with bushings"

[MikeD]

Mike, check this page out for a little bit better idea: http://www.mymbonline.com/forum/186-c-class-w202/45147-anyone-still-curious-how-lower-their-202-a-2.html

This works for the rears, but the front springs will take a lot more dismantling with this method. I don't think I found anything that even remotely resembles a DIY for the front springs without a spring compressor.

[wichipong]

that will work cos thats how i did mine when i removed my pads...

[Mike51809]

Hmm I may have to try that