Chinese Coil Spring Question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chasinthesun · #1 02-25-2014, 03:46 PM

Ive been online viewing Mercedes 123 frt coil spring compressors and what Ive learned from viewing the shipping details is that some of the compressor kits vary in weight. Cheapest one they sell is around $145 around 12lbs, next is one at $179 18 lbs , followed by $249 at 22lbs .They had one that said 60lbs but I think that was a typo , are you getting what you pay for in a better tool?Ebay I wasnt able to view the weight ,Amazon I was .

VS tech had one I was going to rent and may still depending on what direction I head,My thoughts though is if I need to get on another car Ill have this tool handy.

Diesel911 · #2 02-25-2014, 06:09 PM

Since you brought it up I am curious also.

No one has ever collected info on the Spring Compressor Copies.
I can't even remember someone mentioning the company names with the exception that Baum Tool also sells them and someone has one.

RunningTooHot · #3 02-25-2014, 08:03 PM

Scary, scary stuff. One thing I would not cheap-out on is a spring compressor.

The amount of stored energy is enough to KILL you if some Chinese pot-metal POS lets loose. Long ago, I was (un)fortunate enough to witness a spring flying up with enough force to almost go *through* an 18-foot high roof/ceiling. Someone was disassembling a McPherson strut when something went wrong. If his face had been in the trajectory of that spring... well, you get the idea.

Signed,
Chicken Little

vstech · #4 02-25-2014, 10:30 PM

the compressor weighs around 2 lbs... the PLATES have various sizes and weights... also, the plastic case they include with the order could be heavier...

when I ship out JUST the two small plates, and the compressor it weighs around 7 lbs...

I'm just sayin...

no freaking idea how the thing weighs 60 lbs...

vstech · #5 02-25-2014, 10:32 PM

I bought the china one to use, but later purchased the Klann version, and it's all I've ever used personally...

jake12tech · #6 02-26-2014, 04:30 AM

I have used some cheap tools with great success. I wouldn't really cheap out on using a tool with such dangerous consequences in this case though. The prices are really tempting especially with depending on if you do this daily for a living or as a DIYer, but again the consequences of what could happen to myself or in this case yourself or whoever may be around you. Makes me question if the price really matters.

aieeegrunt · #7 02-26-2014, 08:51 AM

Once I was done costing the job out I determined that I could do the job myself in the parking lot at work, or pay another hundred and have the car shop across the road do it.

Sometimes you can save a lot of money with DIY, and sometimes it's just masochistic nonsense.

Spring shenanigans is not an area to try and save money. Although my car was facing the front offices, and there is that one guy I can't stand.........

[David Caruso surveys wreckage of office]

"Looks like somebody had a little extra....spring in his step"

[Puts on sunglasses]

YEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHHHH!

JamesDean · #8 02-26-2014, 11:32 AM

I bought the $178 unit (it was $200 or so after shipping) on eBay. I've used it on 4-5 cars so far without issue.

Actually saved us the one time when my buddy and I were trying to replace an upper control arm on a 420SEL. Made a few mistakes and ultimately released the lower control arm and spring into the ground. The rotor was the only thing holding it all in place. Compressor allowed us to safely restore the suspension to normal.

DieselPaul · #9 02-26-2014, 12:14 PM

I have the $159 ewk unit. Its not as well machined as the klann so it doesn't slide in and out as smoothly since its a bit bigger. But it definitely works and I'm definitely not dead.

If I owned a shop and used the tool daily I'd for sure have the klann but for the hobbyist, I think the knock offs are fine.

Spring compressor failures I've seen have all been from misuse by the operator. Using an impact on them, using the wrong style compressor for the spring, etc. Not reading the instructions and misusing the tool is not a function of bad tools.

bt1211 · #10 02-26-2014, 02:58 PM

Are there really that many Chinese manufactures making this spring compressor? Its not that much demand for them to do the tooling.
My guess is that maybe one or two manufactures at the most.

Maybe we can post pics to see if we can help identify which is which. Owners of different version can comment on theirs.

Lots of things will harm you if you don't use basic common sense.

Diesel911 · #11 02-26-2014, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningTooHot

Scary, scary stuff. One thing I would not cheap-out on is a spring compressor.

The amount of stored energy is enough to KILL you if some Chinese pot-metal POS lets loose. Long ago, I was (un)fortunate enough to witness a spring flying up with enough force to almost go *through* an 18-foot high roof/ceiling. Someone was disassembling a McPherson strut when something went wrong. If his face had been in the trajectory of that spring... well, you get the idea.

Signed,
Chicken Little

Homemade special tools
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/general-information/239902-home-made-special-tools-where-members-can-share-how-they-made-special-tools.html

Diesel911 · #12 02-26-2014, 04:08 PM

I made the below one that pulls the spring upwards into the Spring Perch. However, there is no room under the Hood for a regular wrench and I used a big Crows Foot on a bunch of Estensions to turn the Nut. A lot of work to turn.

Also when the Spring is compressed you cannot close the Hood.
It works they way the Mercedes Spring Compressor in the Diagram works

Later I made the pair with hooks in the picture from 1"-14 threaded Rod so I would have something that could be used on other vehicles as well as a Mercedes.

Neither cost too much money to make but the Hooked one was a lot of work.