Re: [MBZ] S**T!!! -- Spring Compressor

[Dave in SoCal]

Clamped in vise per the instructions on job 33-440, I use an appropriately 
sized impact socket and a 5-lb. sledge. Regular hammer just doesn't do it. I'm 
in rust-free CA but it's usually quick once it's in the vise.

Dave

On Mar 31, 2012, at 8:59 PM, Rich Thomas wrote:

> I actually cut them across the top, and the end bits sorta fell out then.  I 
> put a big socket on one end of the inner rubber/metal bit, and pushed that 
> out with a vise.  I am still trying to get the lower BJ undone, tried the hot 
> wrench and some shims for the pickle fork, still no go.  Went at the BJ shaft 
> with the sawzall but that stuff is REALLY tough, barely made a dent in it.  
> Tomorrow another tactic will unfold I am sure.
> 
> --R


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Re: [MBZ] S**T!!! -- Spring Compressor

[Rich Thomas]

I had that problem with the Rusty rental (a Klann I guess) on the 123.  
My 126 has a hole about twice as big, the compressor has lots of room.


--R

On 3/31/12 8:18 PM, Jaime Kopchinski wrote:

I bought and used one of those JTC compressors just once.  It didn't fit
the hole in the inner fender of the W123 without a bit of grinding.  No way
it would fit a W116.


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Re: [MBZ] S**T!!! -- Spring Compressor

[Rich Thomas]

I actually cut them across the top, and the end bits sorta fell out 
then.  I put a big socket on one end of the inner rubber/metal bit, and 
pushed that out with a vise.  I am still trying to get the lower BJ 
undone, tried the hot wrench and some shims for the pickle fork, still 
no go.  Went at the BJ shaft with the sawzall but that stuff is REALLY 
tough, barely made a dent in it.  Tomorrow another tactic will unfold I 
am sure.


--R

On 3/31/12 11:40 PM, Max wrote:

Rich Thomas  wrote:

  >Those inner bushings in the LCA are tough to get out, I

might
take the recip saw to them as pounding with a punch was not having
great
effect.


Yes, saw-z-all is your friend for those inner bushings.  That was my approach 
on the 123 I did ages ago.



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Re: [MBZ] S**T!!! -- Spring Compressor

[Max]

Rich Thomas  wrote:

 >Those inner bushings in the LCA are tough to get out, I
>might 
>take the recip saw to them as pounding with a punch was not having
>great 
>effect.
>

Yes, saw-z-all is your friend for those inner bushings.  That was my approach 
on the 123 I did ages ago.

-- 
Max Dillon
Charleston SC
'95 E300, '87 300TD
___

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Re: [MBZ] S**T!!! -- Spring Compressor

[Jaime Kopchinski]

I bought and used one of those JTC compressors just once.  It didn't fit
the hole in the inner fender of the W123 without a bit of grinding.  No way
it would fit a W116.  Quality was questionable.  I got rid of it and bought
the real Klann tool with a friend.  Between the two of us, and the several
jobs I've done with it already, it was worth the extra money.  Its a joy to
use and I don't have to fear for my life or bones nearly as much (althought
I .

Good luck!
Jaime


On Sat, Mar 31, 2012 at 11:55 AM, Rich Thomas <
richthomas79td...@constructivity.net> wrote:

> I am rebuilding the front end of mama's 300SD.  Bought this spring
> compressor that Max found, eng.jtc.com.tw/products/index.**
> php?mode=data&id=355&top=0
>  it seems like a good stout unit, not a lot different from the one I rented
> from Rusty last time I did the job on the 123.
>
> Rotated the plates around to get a good grip at top and bottom of spring
> (first attempt I needed to get more coils in the tool), got the spring out
> no problem other than fiddling a bit to get the teeth set in the plate
> pockets.  Went to uncompress the spring, got the compressor all the way
> extended and there was still compression on the spring so I can't get it
> out, maybe only a half inch or so.  I try to turn it back to tighten it to
> put it back in the car to compress it a bit and hold it compressed, to
> rotate the plates some to get some slack (they are interlocked top and
> bottom now with the teeth on both ends locked in the pockets on the plates,
> so the whole thing rotates), and I run into this "feature" :
>
> Advantage :Newly developed automatic 3-point safety interlock and
> ***automatic freewheel
>   at end of stroke.***
>
> Which means the screw will not engage the bottom part now, and I cannot
> recompress it to put it back in the car.  SH*T!!!
>
> So I am pondering how to get it compressed enough to rotate the plates
> around a bit to get the thing out.  I am thinking to stick it under the car
> frame and then drop the whole car down enough to compress it a bit (I think
> I only need a 1/4 or 1/2" or so but I am also thinking that is dangerous as
> hell and really do not want to mess up my day.  Or maybe use the floor jack
> (which has a round pocket on the lift arm) to put it under the car and push
> it up a tad.  Or if I should go to oreilly's and borrow one of their cheapo
> compressors, use that just enough to get some slack on the system.  There
> is probably not a whole lot of compression on it at this point, maybe a
> coupla hundred pounds if that, but still enough to make a problem if it
> decides to go for a walk.  Or maybe if they have a press we can push it
> enough to release a plate so I can rotate it out and re-engage the screw.
>
> Ideas?  I was hoping to get this job done this weekend, mostly (gotta go
> to a shop to get BJs pressed) but not if I am running all over creation to
> deal with this stupid thing.
>
> --R
>
> __**_
> http://www.okiebenz.com
> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com
> To search list archives 
> http://www.okiebenz.com/**archive/
>
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> http://mail.okiebenz.com/**mailman/listinfo/mercedes_**okiebenz.com
>



-- 
Jaime Kopchinski
http://www.jaimekop.com/
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Re: [MBZ] S**T!!! -- Spring Compressor

[Rich Thomas]

Problem with taking it to the shop is that I would have to make 2 trips, 
because I can't get the R side off now.  I think what I will do is when 
I get the LCA redone, as Dieselhead <126die...@gmail.com>  suggests, 
just put it in there and compress it enough with the floor jack to get 
the plates rearranged, or enough to engage the threads.  I was thinking 
of that as I was taking the LCA out.  Probably should have done it 
first.  Oh well.


As far as the tool, yeah the Klann was probably a better choice, but Max 
found this one on CL and the guy had used it on his SEC to put lowering 
springs in it, he said it worked well.  It seems stout enough, but that 
bottoming out is kinda odd.  I sent an email to customer support in 
Taiwan, I wonder what I will get back...


On other aspects, the left end tie rod, inner joint, is definitely 
buggered and loose, and the upper BJ was feeling a little floppy too.  
The brake rod mount on the frame is a bit wobbly too, glad I ordered 
those new.  That explains the looseness on the left side.  R is probably 
just as bad.


I managed to get the top (upper control arm) BJ off the steering knuckle 
with a pickle fork on the air hammer, but the forks bottom out against 
the knuckle on the lower BJ and I cannot get that one popped loose from 
the LCA.  I need to find some metal shims to get in there to shim it up 
and give me some less room between the knuckle and the LCA where the BJ 
attaches, I will have to go on an archaeological expedition in my 
garage.  I have some thicker metal bits around somewhere.  The other 
rubber in the control arms looks half decent but it is all getting 
replaced.  Those inner bushings in the LCA are tough to get out, I might 
take the recip saw to them as pounding with a punch was not having great 
effect.


I have been taking lots of notes and pics, I will put up a blog when I 
am done to document it all.  It started to sprinkle a bit, so I came in 
to have lunch.  Looks like it is not precipitating now, so back out...


--R

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Re: [MBZ] S**T!!! -- Spring Compressor

[Russ Williams]

Rich take it to the shop when you go press the new BJ's in and use the Press
to compress the spring enough to release the plates.

On 3/31/2012 10:55 AM, Rich Thomas wrote:
I am rebuilding the front end of mama's 300SD.  Bought this spring 
compressor that Max found, 
eng.jtc.com.tw/products/index.php?mode=data&id=355&top=0  it seems 
like a good stout unit, not a lot different from the one I rented from 
Rusty last time I did the job on the 123.


Rotated the plates around to get a good grip at top and bottom of 
spring (first attempt I needed to get more coils in the tool), got the 
spring out no problem other than fiddling a bit to get the teeth set 
in the plate pockets.  Went to uncompress the spring, got the 
compressor all the way extended and there was still compression on the 
spring so I can't get it out, maybe only a half inch or so.  I try to 
turn it back to tighten it to put it back in the car to compress it a 
bit and hold it compressed, to rotate the plates some to get some 
slack (they are interlocked top and bottom now with the teeth on both 
ends locked in the pockets on the plates, so the whole thing rotates), 
and I run into this "feature" :


Advantage :Newly developed automatic 3-point safety interlock and 
***automatic freewheel

   at end of stroke.***

Which means the screw will not engage the bottom part now, and I 
cannot recompress it to put it back in the car.  SH*T!!!


So I am pondering how to get it compressed enough to rotate the plates 
around a bit to get the thing out.  I am thinking to stick it under 
the car frame and then drop the whole car down enough to compress it a 
bit (I think I only need a 1/4 or 1/2" or so but I am also thinking 
that is dangerous as hell and really do not want to mess up my day.  
Or maybe use the floor jack (which has a round pocket on the lift arm) 
to put it under the car and push it up a tad.  Or if I should go to 
oreilly's and borrow one of their cheapo compressors, use that just 
enough to get some slack on the system.  There is probably not a whole 
lot of compression on it at this point, maybe a coupla hundred pounds 
if that, but still enough to make a problem if it decides to go for a 
walk.  Or maybe if they have a press we can push it enough to release 
a plate so I can rotate it out and re-engage the screw.


Ideas?  I was hoping to get this job done this weekend, mostly (gotta 
go to a shop to get BJs pressed) but not if I am running all over 
creation to deal with this stupid thing.


--R

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Re: [MBZ] S**T!!! -- Spring Compressor

[Jaime Kopchinski]

I bought and used one of those JTC compressors just once.  I didn't fit the
hole in the inner fender of the W123 without a bit of grinding.  No way it
would fit a W116.  Quality was questionable.  I got rid of it and bought
the real Klann tool with a friend.  Between the two of us, and the several
jobs I've done with it already, it was worth the extra money.  Its a joy to
use and I don't have to fear for my life or bones nearly as much.

I always recommend buying or renting the Klann tool.

Jaime


On Sat, Mar 31, 2012 at 11:55 AM, Rich Thomas <
richthomas79td...@constructivity.net> wrote:

> I am rebuilding the front end of mama's 300SD.  Bought this spring
> compressor that Max found, eng.jtc.com.tw/products/index.**
> php?mode=data&id=355&top=0
>  it seems like a good stout unit, not a lot different from the one I rented
> from Rusty last time I did the job on the 123.
>
> Rotated the plates around to get a good grip at top and bottom of spring
> (first attempt I needed to get more coils in the tool), got the spring out
> no problem other than fiddling a bit to get the teeth set in the plate
> pockets.  Went to uncompress the spring, got the compressor all the way
> extended and there was still compression on the spring so I can't get it
> out, maybe only a half inch or so.  I try to turn it back to tighten it to
> put it back in the car to compress it a bit and hold it compressed, to
> rotate the plates some to get some slack (they are interlocked top and
> bottom now with the teeth on both ends locked in the pockets on the plates,
> so the whole thing rotates), and I run into this "feature" :
>
> Advantage :Newly developed automatic 3-point safety interlock and
> ***automatic freewheel
>   at end of stroke.***
>
> Which means the screw will not engage the bottom part now, and I cannot
> recompress it to put it back in the car.  SH*T!!!
>
> So I am pondering how to get it compressed enough to rotate the plates
> around a bit to get the thing out.  I am thinking to stick it under the car
> frame and then drop the whole car down enough to compress it a bit (I think
> I only need a 1/4 or 1/2" or so but I am also thinking that is dangerous as
> hell and really do not want to mess up my day.  Or maybe use the floor jack
> (which has a round pocket on the lift arm) to put it under the car and push
> it up a tad.  Or if I should go to oreilly's and borrow one of their cheapo
> compressors, use that just enough to get some slack on the system.  There
> is probably not a whole lot of compression on it at this point, maybe a
> coupla hundred pounds if that, but still enough to make a problem if it
> decides to go for a walk.  Or maybe if they have a press we can push it
> enough to release a plate so I can rotate it out and re-engage the screw.
>
> Ideas?  I was hoping to get this job done this weekend, mostly (gotta go
> to a shop to get BJs pressed) but not if I am running all over creation to
> deal with this stupid thing.
>
> --R
>
> __**_
> http://www.okiebenz.com
> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com
> To search list archives 
> http://www.okiebenz.com/**archive/
>
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> http://mail.okiebenz.com/**mailman/listinfo/mercedes_**okiebenz.com
>



-- 
Jaime Kopchinski
http://www.jaimekop.com/
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Re: [MBZ] S**T!!! -- Spring Compressor

[Dave in SoCal]

I may be misreading this and not understanding the interlock but are there no 
flat spots on the plates which enable it to be compressed like that in the 
linked Klann video? 
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3614495583838776006

Is lack of a bench vise the issue? Perhaps a neighbor can assist?

CL is a common source for a used vise - I got a beefy vintage Prentiss for $20.
It's saved me much grief over the years - especially when remounting MB springs.

Dave
SoCal

On Mar 31, 2012, at 8:55 AM, Rich Thomas wrote:

> I am rebuilding the front end of mama's 300SD.  Bought this spring compressor 
> that Max found, eng.jtc.com.tw/products/index.php?mode=data&id=355&top=0  it 
> seems like a good stout unit, not a lot different from the one I rented from 
> Rusty last time I did the job on the 123.
> 
> Rotated the plates around to get a good grip at top and bottom of spring 
> (first attempt I needed to get more coils in the tool), got the spring out no 
> problem other than fiddling a bit to get the teeth set in the plate pockets.  
> Went to uncompress the spring, got the compressor all the way extended and 
> there was still compression on the spring so I can't get it out, maybe only a 
> half inch or so.  I try to turn it back to tighten it to put it back in the 
> car to compress it a bit and hold it compressed, to rotate the plates some to 
> get some slack (they are interlocked top and bottom now with the teeth on 
> both ends locked in the pockets on the plates, so the whole thing rotates), 
> and I run into this "feature" :
> 
> Advantage :Newly developed automatic 3-point safety interlock and 
> ***automatic freewheel
>   at end of stroke.***
> 
> Which means the screw will not engage the bottom part now, and I cannot 
> recompress it to put it back in the car.  SH*T!!!
> 
> So I am pondering how to get it compressed enough to rotate the plates around 
> a bit to get the thing out.  I am thinking to stick it under the car frame 
> and then drop the whole car down enough to compress it a bit (I think I only 
> need a 1/4 or 1/2" or so but I am also thinking that is dangerous as hell and 
> really do not want to mess up my day.  Or maybe use the floor jack (which has 
> a round pocket on the lift arm) to put it under the car and push it up a tad. 
>  Or if I should go to oreilly's and borrow one of their cheapo compressors, 
> use that just enough to get some slack on the system.  There is probably not 
> a whole lot of compression on it at this point, maybe a coupla hundred pounds 
> if that, but still enough to make a problem if it decides to go for a walk.  
> Or maybe if they have a press we can push it enough to release a plate so I 
> can rotate it out and re-engage the screw.
> 
> Ideas?  I was hoping to get this job done this weekend, mostly (gotta go to a 
> shop to get BJs pressed) but not if I am running all over creation to deal 
> with this stupid thing.
> 
> —R



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Re: [MBZ] S**T!!! -- Spring Compressor

[Scott Ritchey]

Rich,

I would NOT screw around with using the weight of the car or move it in any
way.  Using the floor jack may work but I'd recommend borrowing a set of
cheapie strut-type compressors from FLAPS like these:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/OEM-MacPherson-strut-spring-com
pressor/_/N-26gi?itemIdentifier=70135_0_0_

Generally. These are dangerous to use on a untethered spring but you only
need to compress it a little and it's almost uncompressed anyway.

Good luck.

-Original Message-
From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com]
On Behalf Of Rich Thomas
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2012 11:56 AM
To: Mercedes Discussion List
Subject: [MBZ] S**T!!! -- Spring Compressor

I am rebuilding the front end of mama's 300SD.  Bought this spring 
compressor that Max found, 
eng.jtc.com.tw/products/index.php?mode=data&id=355&top=0  it seems like 
a good stout unit, not a lot different from the one I rented from Rusty 
last time I did the job on the 123.

Rotated the plates around to get a good grip at top and bottom of spring 
(first attempt I needed to get more coils in the tool), got the spring 
out no problem other than fiddling a bit to get the teeth set in the 
plate pockets.  Went to uncompress the spring, got the compressor all 
the way extended and there was still compression on the spring so I 
can't get it out, maybe only a half inch or so.  I try to turn it back 
to tighten it to put it back in the car to compress it a bit and hold it 
compressed, to rotate the plates some to get some slack (they are 
interlocked top and bottom now with the teeth on both ends locked in the 
pockets on the plates, so the whole thing rotates), and I run into this 
"feature" :

Advantage :Newly developed automatic 3-point safety interlock and 
***automatic freewheel
at end of stroke.***

Which means the screw will not engage the bottom part now, and I cannot 
recompress it to put it back in the car.  SH*T!!!

So I am pondering how to get it compressed enough to rotate the plates 
around a bit to get the thing out.  I am thinking to stick it under the 
car frame and then drop the whole car down enough to compress it a bit 
(I think I only need a 1/4 or 1/2" or so but I am also thinking that is 
dangerous as hell and really do not want to mess up my day.  Or maybe 
use the floor jack (which has a round pocket on the lift arm) to put it 
under the car and push it up a tad.  Or if I should go to oreilly's and 
borrow one of their cheapo compressors, use that just enough to get some 
slack on the system.  There is probably not a whole lot of compression 
on it at this point, maybe a coupla hundred pounds if that, but still 
enough to make a problem if it decides to go for a walk.  Or maybe if 
they have a press we can push it enough to release a plate so I can 
rotate it out and re-engage the screw.

Ideas?  I was hoping to get this job done this weekend, mostly (gotta go 
to a shop to get BJs pressed) but not if I am running all over creation 
to deal with this stupid thing.

--R

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Re: [MBZ] S**T!!! -- Spring Compressor

[Dieselhead]

When you are ready to assemble, put the spring in the perches on the 
car.  Put a floor jack under the LCA, and jack the spring into place 
to connect everything.  (having 3-4 hands is handy, but I git er done 
with 2 hands.)


I have never used a spring compressor except on the 124 front, (and 
111 front) and now I can do that without too.  big deal is getting 
the strut compressed and tied down to assemble the 124 front.  If you 
install new struts that are tied down, then assembling a 124 sans 
spring compressor is a cinch.



I am rebuilding the front end of mama's 300SD.  Bought this spring 
compressor that Max found, 
eng.jtc.com.tw/products/index.php?mode=data&id=355&top=0  it seems 
like a good stout unit, not a lot different from the one I rented 
from Rusty last time I did the job on the 123.


Rotated the plates around to get a good grip at top and bottom of 
spring (first attempt I needed to get more coils in the tool), got 
the spring out no problem other than fiddling a bit to get the teeth 
set in the plate pockets.  Went to uncompress the spring, got the 
compressor all the way extended and there was still compression on 
the spring so I can't get it out, maybe only a half inch or so.  I 
try to turn it back to tighten it to put it back in the car to 
compress it a bit and hold it compressed, to rotate the plates some 
to get some slack (they are interlocked top and bottom now with the 
teeth on both ends locked in the pockets on the plates, so the whole 
thing rotates), and I run into this "feature" :


Advantage :Newly developed automatic 3-point safety interlock and 
***automatic freewheel

   at end of stroke.***

Which means the screw will not engage the bottom part now, and I 
cannot recompress it to put it back in the car.  SH*T!!!


So I am pondering how to get it compressed enough to rotate the 
plates around a bit to get the thing out.  I am thinking to stick it 
under the car frame and then drop the whole car down enough to 
compress it a bit (I think I only need a 1/4 or 1/2" or so but I am 
also thinking that is dangerous as hell and really do not want to 
mess up my day.  Or maybe use the floor jack (which has a round 
pocket on the lift arm) to put it under the car and push it up a 
tad.  Or if I should go to oreilly's and borrow one of their cheapo 
compressors, use that just enough to get some slack on the system. 
There is probably not a whole lot of compression on it at this 
point, maybe a coupla hundred pounds if that, but still enough to 
make a problem if it decides to go for a walk.  Or maybe if they 
have a press we can push it enough to release a plate so I can 
rotate it out and re-engage the screw.


Ideas?  I was hoping to get this job done this weekend, mostly 
(gotta go to a shop to get BJs pressed) but not if I am running all 
over creation to deal with this stupid thing.


--R

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Re: [MBZ] S**T!!! -- Spring Compressor

[WILTON]

Yep,  that's  what we BUFF guys call an Alpha Sierra - a Ah, S**t! - 
somewhat the opposite of an ATTABOY, but with much more power than an 
ATTABOY - one Aplha Sierra has been known to wipe out 50 thousand or more 
ATTABOYS.  Good luck and be careful


Wilton

- Original Message - 
From: "Rich Thomas" 

To: "Mercedes Discussion List" 
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2012 11:55 AM
Subject: [MBZ] S**T!!! -- Spring Compressor


I am rebuilding the front end of mama's 300SD.  Bought this spring 
compressor that Max found, 
eng.jtc.com.tw/products/index.php?mode=data&id=355&top=0  it seems like a 
good stout unit, not a lot different from the one I rented from Rusty last 
time I did the job on the 123.


Rotated the plates around to get a good grip at top and bottom of spring 
(first attempt I needed to get more coils in the tool), got the spring out 
no problem other than fiddling a bit to get the teeth set in the plate 
pockets.  Went to uncompress the spring, got the compressor all the way 
extended and there was still compression on the spring so I can't get it 
out, maybe only a half inch or so.  I try to turn it back to tighten it to 
put it back in the car to compress it a bit and hold it compressed, to 
rotate the plates some to get some slack (they are interlocked top and 
bottom now with the teeth on both ends locked in the pockets on the 
plates, so the whole thing rotates), and I run into this "feature" :


Advantage :Newly developed automatic 3-point safety interlock and 
***automatic freewheel

   at end of stroke.***

Which means the screw will not engage the bottom part now, and I cannot 
recompress it to put it back in the car.  SH*T!!!


So I am pondering how to get it compressed enough to rotate the plates 
around a bit to get the thing out.  I am thinking to stick it under the 
car frame and then drop the whole car down enough to compress it a bit (I 
think I only need a 1/4 or 1/2" or so but I am also thinking that is 
dangerous as hell and really do not want to mess up my day.  Or maybe use 
the floor jack (which has a round pocket on the lift arm) to put it under 
the car and push it up a tad.  Or if I should go to oreilly's and borrow 
one of their cheapo compressors, use that just enough to get some slack on 
the system.  There is probably not a whole lot of compression on it at 
this point, maybe a coupla hundred pounds if that, but still enough to 
make a problem if it decides to go for a walk.  Or maybe if they have a 
press we can push it enough to release a plate so I can rotate it out and 
re-engage the screw.


Ideas?  I was hoping to get this job done this weekend, mostly (gotta go 
to a shop to get BJs pressed) but not if I am running all over creation to 
deal with this stupid thing.


--R

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