[Serintek]

Hi all, I've done extensive check on the site and found a lot of information about changing the guide rod bracket. But one question:

Is it mandatory to use e front spring compressor, or is there a way to go around that, cause here I can't find anything similar to rent or borrow.... If it is mandatory, I'll have to go to my garage, not a MB specialist too..

Thanks for helping...

 

[Teutone]

Have you tried a (3 word) forum search?
If not sure how, please re visit the 'Welcome to the Forum' tutorial sticky on top of the W126 page.
Cheers

 

[eolon]

I bought a good spring compressor on E-Bay when I did mine. I have used it several times since, for replacing springs and things.

Do not aggravate yourself by trying to do guide rods without a GOOD spring compressor.

That's my advice...


Best Regards,

e


.::.

 

[Jevile219]

How much does a good spring compressor cost?

 

[Aspect]

Here's one listed on eBay:

eBay Motors: Mercedes Suspension Coil Spring Compressor Tool Kit Set (item 170202756236 end time May-16-08 19:36:51 PDT)

 

[jhodg5ck]

You don't need one to do guide rods... If I had to yank the spring I'd be charging a LOT more!

Jonathan

 

[eolon]

That is the spring compressor I bought on E-Bay; good quality even though it wasn't made in Germany, and didn't cost $800.

You don't have to remove the spring, but compressing it make the job much easier, imo.


Best Regards,

e

.::.

 

[wbain]

They are available for rent. Check the 126 DIY at the top of this forum.

The plates must be inserted at near the top and bottom of the spring and the screw rod inserted from above. It must be tightened by hand and not with air tools. Once the spring is out, you have to remove the spring base and then the guide rod can be removed. Get a new bushing kit.

 

[Serintek]

You don't need one to do guide rods... If I had to yank the spring I'd be charging a LOT more!

Jonathan

Any particular suggestion ? It will be appreciated alot !

Thanks Jonathan.

The rest of the procedure seems straight forward and not too complicated. Where I live, I can't rent one, nobody really work on this car here.... My mechanic is still learning and only has experience on old VW.... LOL, It seems everytime I pay him to learn, I even print him the threads and the parts of the manual he will need... But this Guide Rod thing, I'd like to do it myselfs, summer is close and I can afford parking that beast for few days...

 

[Serintek]

After a few hours, decided to go to my indy to performe the job.... He just started later this afternoon and found that 20 years of salt and rust did not help at all..

Had to use the toch to cut into the frame where is hiding a small nut, had to cut large enough to pass is wrench and hold the nut.... 5:00 pm today he was acheiving left side, waiting for the right side and a good wheel alignment. took hime 20 minutes to figure it out, and 40 minutes to perform left side. Happy to have let him do the job after all...

Amazing what salt can do.... this baby was not designed for 20+ years in salty environment.... at least for these nuts and bolts.... Body, frame and floor is still in marvelous shape. No GM could have been that long in this....

Next will be the rear air accumulators (I sould be able to get them by my own this time.)

Last time I got to change my fuel filter, which did not wait until spring to break. It was corroded to the extreme...