[AzimuthAviation]

Hey Guys!

I've got the laptop up and running but have been slammed on time. I've been working on the front suspension of the SD and replacing all the control arm bushing/parts. I'm also installing a set of Eibachs and have found with the greater coil count that the non-MB spring compressor is just not hacking it. Does anyone have a spring compressor that I could fly/drive out tomorrow to borrow and ship back to you FedEx? I've got one spring in but it's off by 1/4 and the spring was cocking as I compressed it. ARGH!!!!!

Thanks!!!!!

 

[ElRojo]

I think Kodiakj2 (Greg) might have one, but he's not quite in the "drive right out and borrow it" range.

D

 

[justinwrock]

I got access to one.


When you need it?

 

[kodiakj2]

Hey Roy, pm sent

Greg

 

[AzimuthAviation]

I got access to one.


When you need it?

LOL!!! About four hours ago If your still up give me a call. I'll pm you my number just in case you didn't get my VM. It appears I did finally figure out yours and left you a VM after gabbing with Cascade. My phone says I called you on Sat afternoon while I was waiting to fly from LAX...

 

[AzimuthAviation]

I think Kodiakj2 (Greg) might have one, but he's not quite in the "drive right out and borrow it" range.

D

He's pretty darn close via 737 I left you a vm the other day while I was in LAX. I hope all is well!!!

 

[graftdesign]

I have one I can lend you.

 

[AzimuthAviation]

I have one I can lend you.

Thank you "graft"! I've got it covered here in CA but some ice fishing for walleye would be fun

 

[graftdesign]

No problem.

Never been ice fishing, I'm a city boy! Maybe I ought to give it a try to help pass the winter blues away.

 

[trooper6]

AA,
Was the bushing replacement pretty easy and straight forward? I need to do the same and was contemplating doing it myself or giving it to my indy to complete. My SEC is my DD so I want to be able to complete it in a weekend. I guess half the battle is making sure I have all the parts if I do it myself. We just can't go to Autozone and pick things up for our cars like a Ford or Chevy.

Thanks,
Mike (trroper6)

 

[Dr.Grillz]

I have one I can lend you.

I'll be needing to borrow one this summer Would trade ya a crate of good beer:thumbsup:

 

[graftdesign]

Sure Sharif. No problem. Just let me know when you need it.

 

[joconab]

This is what I used to swap out my springs to lowered my car. I borrowed them but I am thinking of purchasing it.
Mercedes Benz Struts Coil Spring Compressor Suspension : eBay Motors (item 350309984594 end time Jan-31-10 19:08:33 PST)

 

[graftdesign]

Yup, that looks like the one I have too.

 

[mramay]

I used a $30 hook type spring compressor on three or four SECs to put in H&R springs. It worked just fine. With some 12" hemostats to help set the hooks and some wheel bearing grease to lube the threaded rod, they will work just fine. After three cars the threaded rod was showing some thread wear even after using wheel bearing grease to lube the shaft *every* time so they went into the trash.

Either borrow a really nice set (MB Dinner Plate ones or the Snap-On Fork & Hook) or buy the cheap ones, use them once (1 car only) and toss them out. I have a set of the Snap-On spring compressors but would not have a problem using a $30 hook set for one car.

I did the first two cars with a 24" 1/2" drive extension and a ratchet. Then I got my big air compressor and used a 1/2" impact gun, which to no ones surprise was WAY easier than manually cranking that ratchet.

 

[graftdesign]

That's good to know. I read some earlier posts that discouraged the cheaper versions and described them as potentially life threatening so I went with the more expensive plate version. I suppose all it takes is one mishap for the unexperienced DIYer ...

 

[AzimuthAviation]

I used a $30 hook type spring compressor on three or four SECs to put in H&R springs. It worked just fine. With some 12" hemostats to help set the hooks and some wheel bearing grease to lube the threaded rod, they will work just fine. After three cars the threaded rod was showing some thread wear even after using wheel bearing grease to lube the shaft *every* time so they went into the trash.

Either borrow a really nice set (MB Dinner Plate ones or the Snap-On Fork & Hook) or buy the cheap ones, use them once (1 car only) and toss them out. I have a set of the Snap-On spring compressors but would not have a problem using a $30 hook set for one car.

I did the first two cars with a 24" 1/2" drive extension and a ratchet. Then I got my big air compressor and used a 1/2" impact gun, which to no ones surprise was WAY easier than manually cranking that ratchet.

That's what I've been using, an internal hook type compressor fishing the damned hooks around and putting in the bolts and..... I've found it works but it takes an hour each way... It's much more of a pain with my AMG springs and now the Eibachs. I scored a plate type compressor from Justinwrok and Dieselkraut2 ( :thumbsup::bowdown::thumbsup::bowdown and r^2'd a spring in 15 minutes with ease using the plate compressor with little effort and a 1/2 wratchet!!! NEVER AGAIN will I use the hooks type and I'll invest in the plate type. I now feel uber stupid for saving money not buying one over all that hassle I've put myself through...

 

[AzimuthAviation]

AA,
Was the bushing replacement pretty easy and straight forward? I need to do the same and was contemplating doing it myself or giving it to my indy to complete. My SEC is my DD so I want to be able to complete it in a weekend. I guess half the battle is making sure I have all the parts if I do it myself. We just can't go to Autozone and pick things up for our cars like a Ford or Chevy.

Thanks,
Mike (trroper6)

It wasn't all that bad if you can think outside of having all the specialty tools. The plate type spring compressor is now on my list of SHOULD haves The lower control arm bushing are a bit of a pain as are the lower ball joints. The bushings took a drift and hammer to knock a outer cap off and then use a jaw puller to push off/out the other two pieces. I bought wire pulling lube and installed the center bushing using my large vise, but you could use a block of wood and screw stock to get it centered. Once in place I set the two outer pieces on and it was a combination of the vise and gentle taps with a drift punch to keep them straight as I compressed them on. You can use the wood/screw stock to do the same. For the lower ball joints I used a 4lb brass brake pin from a tractor to drive them out and installed them using the Autozone ball joint press without using any pressing sleave. Just pull the grease cover from the ball joint and press on the joint's top. It'll go in without any distortion. The ones I pulled out had been "professionally installed" the same way except they had been hammered in and beat all to hell... but still moved Without any distractions I think you could DIY in a weekend...

Have fun!