The paperwork crossing the border back and forth would be a problem.......
So If anyone in Canada would lend / rent one I am interested. Or maybe someone who is tired of renting theirs out in Canada or USA would like to sell it used for a reduced price??? I could use it and try renting it out up here.

I have a brand new one still in the box never used, make me and offer over 550.00 and its yours .

I have a brand new one still in the box never used, make me and offer over 550.00 and its yours .

Sorry I should have stipulated a 'Klann -Clone'
I can't afford the real thing, and there aren't anywhere near enough of us in say western Canada to ever pay for the thing.
Thanx anyways though

I see here often somebody either wants to rent or borrow a spring compressor, I have two hydraulic spring compressors bought at Harbor Freight tools They were really cheap thats why I have two They work great on Mercedes springs front or rear , couldn't be easier and very simple to use just pump them down remove them and then release them, when your ready to put them back in pump them down and put them in, your done that simple . I think I paid less then a hundren dollars. But if you want a new Sir mercedes spring tool I'll sell you a brand new one never used and valued over 800.00 comes with it,s own case and quality tool and known for quality and I will let you have it for 650.00 Just let me know, Jerry:):)

I see here often somebody either wants to rent or borrow a spring compressor, I have two hydraulic spring compressors bought at Harbor Freight tools They were really cheap thats why I have two They work great on Mercedes springs front or rear , couldn't be easier and very simple to use just pump them down remove them and then release them, when your ready to put them back in pump them down and put them in, your done that simple . I think I paid less then a hundren dollars. But if you want a new Sir mercedes spring tool I'll sell you a brand new one never used and valued over 800.00 comes with it,s own case and quality tool and known for quality and I will let you have it for 650.00 Just let me know, Jerry:):)

I would never get THAT much use out of it. I only have 2 MBs and there aren't enough of us in this neck of the woods... like western Canada....
I'm thinking maybe a used Klann clone in good shape for a reasonable price and I could rent it out cheap to members on this side of the border and not have to run it through customs etc etc

Here is a spring compressor solution 139.00 I have two in my shop High Quality and gets the job done fast and safe , you can not beat this price. I do recommend it. Jerry ASE Certified Master Mechanic
Click To
Enlarge Photo TROY 1 Ton Hydraulic Coil Spring Compressor Kit
Features:
• Makes a difficult and dangerous job quicker, safter, and easier.
• Used to install and remove most sizes of coil springs
* and McPherson struts.

Specifications:
• Small bracket handles spring sizes 3-1/4'' id to 5'' od.
• Large bracket handles spring sizes 4-1/4'' id to 7'' od.
http://www.maxtool.com/product/search.asp?mdb=/tools.mdb,tbl=IC_ITEMS,template=/hmpg/Gen_enlarge.htm,DBCOMP=ABS,ReturnMax=1,DB_ITEM=ME4098
Includes:
• 4 ton hydraulic pump with 4' hose
• Hydraulic spring compressor
• Two sets of coil spring brakets.



ME4098 49.00 lbs. $139.99 * Qty

*

Here is a spring compressor solution 139.00 I have two in my shop High Quality and gets the job done fast and safe , you can not beat this price. I do recommend it. Jerry ASE Certified Master Mechanic
Click To
Enlarge Photo TROY 1 Ton Hydraulic Coil Spring Compressor Kit
Features:
• Makes a difficult and dangerous job quicker, safter, and easier.
• Used to install and remove most sizes of coil springs
* and McPherson struts.

Specifications:
• Small bracket handles spring sizes 3-1/4'' id to 5'' od.
• Large bracket handles spring sizes 4-1/4'' id to 7'' od.
http://www.maxtool.com/product/search.asp?mdb=/tools.mdb,tbl=IC_ITEMS,template=/hmpg/Gen_enlarge.htm,DBCOMP=ABS,ReturnMax=1,DB_ITEM=ME4098
Includes:
• 4 ton hydraulic pump with 4' hose
• Hydraulic spring compressor
• Two sets of coil spring brakets.



ME4098 49.00 lbs. $139.99 * Qty

*
I understand that the springs on a 123 diesels (especially the fronts) are notoriously difficult to compress. -bend most one side spring compressors.
Have you personally used this compressor on a 123 ?

Thanx

Yes I have personaly used this compressor I own two of them It will work on -107-108-116-123-126-124 front and rear springs, I have no connection with the people who sell this compressor or manufacturer this tool I have nothing to gain other then to try to help a fellow mercedes owner or mechanic, I would have never have even took the time to show you if I have not used it myself, just trying to help here that is all, Your welcome, Jerry ASE Master Certified Mechanic, Retired And run my own restoration shop, in New england..

Yes I have personaly used this compressor I own two of them It will work on -107-108-116-123-126-124 front and rear springs, I have no connection with the people who sell this compressor or manufacturer this tool I have nothing to gain other then to try to help a fellow mercedes owner or mechanic, I would have never have even took the time to show you if I have not used it myself, just trying to help here that is all, Your welcome, Jerry ASE Master Certified Mechanic, Retired And run my own restoration shop, in New england..

Sounds very good, thank you for taking the time. I am sure experianced as you are that you then are well aware of what happens when a spring compressor fails. While I have not had it happen. I have seen the pix, thus my concern. BUT you have allayed my fears.
So, it looks a bit heavy, what would you need for shipping & handling to southern Alberta. Postal code is T1V-1A2?

I just realized you were pointing me to the sellers site, not offering to sell.
Thanx for pointing it out though and telling me it works! Those fellas want $140 for it and nearly $100 for shipping. There is one on ebay for $85 and another for $89 but $110 S & H.
I'll try to source one of these on this side of the border in case I can avoid some of the shipping cost.

Canada. Under the company name Big Roc, instead of Troy but I am certain it is the same thing. got free shipping and they eat the stupid GST tax on your first order too.
Thanx again for your help "pop & Blow"

Yes I have personaly used this compressor I own two of them It will work on -107-108-116-123-126-124 front and rear springs, I have no connection with the people who sell this compressor or manufacturer this tool I have nothing to gain other then to try to help a fellow mercedes owner or mechanic, I would have never have even took the time to show you if I have not used it myself, just trying to help here that is all, Your welcome, Jerry ASE Master Certified Mechanic, Retired And run my own restoration shop, in New england..
Will this tool work on a W201?

Canada. Under the company name Big Roc, instead of Troy but I am certain it is the same thing. got free shipping and they eat the stupid GST tax on your first order too.
Thanx again for your help "pop & Blow"

So I found what I am certain is the same tool in Canada at 'boss tools' the brand in Canada is 'Big Roc' it was $129 with free shipping in Canada, and a 1 year guarantee. They were out of stock and back ordered it. Originally ordered on Feb 11th, back ordered to the 21st, then the 29th, Shipped they say on the 29th and in transit quite a while now. Got a slip in the mail, I think it is at the post office and I'll check tomorrow. Probably a week or more before I can find the time to try it out.

I have no idea about the W201 though.

Did you knock yer head off w/ that thing, or did it work?? ;)

Did you knock yer head off w/ that thing, or did it work?? ;)

I had to beat it into the spring. You know to get the thingys in between the coils. Then it wouldn't compress it quite enough to get the spring out (the travel is only about 4 " or so) so I had to undo the lower control arm and let it down 1/2 " to get the spring out. Next I had a heck of a time getting the spring out of the compressor, but did eventually. Popped the new Vogtland spring in the compressor, jacked it closed as far as it would go and just managed to get it in place because I still had the control arm lowered. So I have one front spring and new shock in place.
Been working to much to start the next one yet, maybe tomorrow. I am not too worried about having to undo the lower control arms because I want to have an alignment done when I get all the springs changed anyway. I am hoping the rears are easier...
I can imagine it would be easier if I had two of them like 'pop & blow' does... and I am NOT blaming him, maybe I am just a klutz eh?
Still, if I had to do this again, I would go for the 'Klan clone'

Thanks for the tips- I am fixing to order parts for a front end overhaul- I reckon I am going for the $200 Klaan clone from elpaso tools, etc on ebay.

Thanks for the tips- I am fixing to order parts for a front end overhaul- I reckon I am going for the $200 Klaan clone from elpaso tools, etc on ebay.

I'll be interested in how you make out with that.

I am planning on (eventually) finishing the job, then posting overall results. And of course pix with the car lowered:D

mobetta/alberta,

I have the Klann clone spring compressor. I have removed one spring from the front of my 1979 W116 300SD. Still have to remove the other one. It's still quite a job because the coils are tight and the disks just marginally slide in. I bought my compressor off Ebay, it is made in taiwan. The disks are cast iron, they could be a little thicker than the Klann disks.

Ian

mobetta/alberta,

I have the Klann clone spring compressor. I have removed one spring from the front of my 1979 W116 300SD. Still have to remove the other one. It's still quite a job because the coils are tight and the disks just marginally slide in. I bought my compressor off Ebay, it is made in taiwan. The disks are cast iron, they could be a little thicker than the Klann disks.

Ian

Bet mine are (alas) thicker'n yours! I got the second front one in tonight. I wrapped iron wire around a spring coil and the compressor shaft (8 wires thick) and twisted them to help pull it in place, and used two large fa clamps to squish it in, And beat on it with a 3 lb. ball peen hammer. Finally got the compressor in place. squished it. and still had to lower the lower control arm to get the spring out, etc.. -still I got this one changed in about 3 hours with my 17 year old (6'4") son helping. He supplies the Brawn I supply the 'Geezer Wisdom'. If the plate thingys weren't so thick I could have put them in with some weight on the spring and caught 9 coils instead of 8. But with any weight on the springs I would not have had a prayer of getting them in, 'cause they are too thick, and I suppose that if the plates were thinner they wouldn't be strong enough..... unless they were better steel then it would cost more etc etc

that the rears are going to be easier:rolleyes:

I imagine the springs are quite similar being the W126 was derived from the W116. I was suprised at the number of coils and the full length once uncompressed. The trouble I had was I couldn't get the disks far enough apart, I recall that at least 9 coils are needed, I got 8 between, and the coil tightness varied such that I couldn't rotate the compressor disk up one more coil. The next issue, as the disks were not in parallel the centre threaded compressor when inserted didn't line up to the lower disk which needed to be locked in place. I also had to remove the shock and lower the arm so I could remove the spring even when compressed. I didn't have to pound on it but it wasn't easy either.
Ian

Well I can't see any way that this compressor can be used for the rear springs on a 123. I did a search and I am reading 'baby james" method lowering the whole rear end to take them both out without using any compressor. I may try that. The boy & I are studying. I will report back (cross your fingers for me:rolleyes:)

I imagine the springs are quite similar being the W126 was derived from the W116. I was suprised at the number of coils and the full length once uncompressed. The trouble I had was I couldn't get the disks far enough apart, I recall that at least 9 coils are needed, I got 8 between, and the coil tightness varied such that I couldn't rotate the compressor disk up one more coil. The next issue, as the disks were not in parallel the centre threaded compressor when inserted didn't line up to the lower disk which needed to be locked in place. I also had to remove the shock and lower the arm so I could remove the spring even when compressed. I didn't have to pound on it but it wasn't easy either.
Ian

With the W123 (300CD) the manual says to get 9 coils for the front and 5 for the back. I got 8 on the front and I could get 5 on the back but there is no room for the compressor part of the tool.

I redid the rear trailing arms on my 123, and did not use a spring compressor. put the body up on jackstands, and then use a floor jack under the T arm. apply just enough pressure to the T arm to hold the spring, get inside and unhook the upper shock mount, and gently let the floor jack down.

the spring will fall out, and if you did not take the adapter off you sls strut, will snap that off and you will have to wait for one from germany, or pay $$$ for overnight from florida or some such thing.

now getting the spring back in solo is another ball of wax, but you seem to have a good helper.

so it seems that while the klann clone is not perfect, it will at least work for and aft, and does the job a bit better than the other option discussed here?