After receiving a $900 shocks & springs install quote from the local stealership (8 hours) and similar from indie (who stated the rear would take four hours because the rear seat had to be removed to access the upper shock mount) I’ve decided to invest in a spring compressor and DIY.
While researching the job I came across this link that really helped me make up my mind to do it myself.
I know there is a ton of interest so perhaps it would make a good addition to our DIY section?
it used to be in the DIY but appears to have disappeared with recent reorg. good
catch....let's get it back in there, along with specific 210 tips. p.s. in reality the 210
R&R of springs is a little more complicated (more like intermediate) than it appears
in the video.
Actually, I don't recall ever seeing it, but at any rate it is in there now.
Thanks, reyna7.
After watching that I now understand why that is a $700 tool. (sigh.)
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
__________________ If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice. Meister Eckhart
When you learn from your own mistakes, that's experience.
When you learn from the mistakes of others, that's wisdom.
When you fail to learn from any mistakes, that's government.
it used to be in the DIY but appears to have disappeared with recent reorg. good
catch....let's get it back in there, along with specific 210 tips. p.s. in reality the 210
R&R of springs is a little more complicated (more like intermediate) than it appears
in the video.
Thanks Raymond & definetely agree w/ you.
I'll take all the help I can get on this (especially considering the other option$).
Actually, I don't recall ever seeing it, but at any rate it is in there now.
Thanks, reyna7.
After watching that I now understand why that is a $700 tool. (sigh.)
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
That $700 price tag is a killer.
Searched Ebay and saw similar (looks exactly the same) for less than half that amount. Considering the dangers of smashing my face in I dunno if the savings are worth it. Others have used the Ebay ones with success so maybe I'm worrying too much?
the zdmak (seller) Klann clone has been used with good success by easily a dozen
folks on this board, MBworld, and Mercedesshop....myself included. I've done 5
spring swaps with mine....and all fingers intact. seriously, it works smoothly, no
binding, and appears to be very well finished and constructed.
very good thread, this was what i wanted to know also. so this means, i can remove the factory springs and drop in some h&r's with this compression tool.
if i do drop in some lowering springs will it ruin the alignment and the camber at the same time.
very good thread, this was what i wanted to know also. so this means, i can remove the factory springs and drop in some h&r's with this compression tool.
if i do drop in some lowering springs will it ruin the alignment and the camber at the same time.
anytime you monkey with the suspension, you must keep in mind that it *will* alter
the specifications. the question is "how much?" after alteration, just get it realigned,
which usually runs $100 or thereabouts, or drive for few hundred miles and gauge
via secondary measures such as tire wear. but the latter is a gamble and you may
still need it anyway.
Quote:
will this spring compressor work in our w210?
yes it will....but not effectively. since nearly all the time spring R&R is done for
lowering purposes on the 210, you're proposing using this design for shorter
springs. if you look at the pic and pivot the hooks so that they are positioned
in extended fashion, you'll see that it used much more effectively for long traveled
springs.
so though it will be useful ....a little..... you'll not be able to utilize this design to
the degree needed....and which is possible with the pancake design. in fact,
even the pancake design may encounter full compression and still.....there isn't
enough space available between spring coils (the coils will touch) to compress
any further (to allow its removal). this is where the trick of dropping the lower
control arm....or releasing the sway bar linkage trick is needed.
Spring Compressor in action... 
Linear Mode
