One of my co workers just came into my office saying they heard a loud bang from my car. I hurried outside to find a large broken spring about the size of my forearm lying under the front driver side wheel.

I am Assuming this is part of the suspension that has let go. What should I do? Is the car at all driveable or should I get it towed?

Help!

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1978 300D

What model car?

Let me take a guess.... w210?

__________________
Current rolling stock:
2001 E55 183,000+ Newest member of the fleet.
2002 E320 83,000 - The "cream-puff"!
1992 500E 217,000+
1995 E300D 412,000+
1998 E300D 155,000+
2001 E320 227,000+
2001 E320 Wagon, 177,000+

Prior MBZ’s:
1952 220 Cab A
1966 300SE
1971 280SE
1973 350SLC (euro)
1980 450SLC
1980 450SLC (#2)
1978 450SLC 5.0
1984 300D ~243,000 & fondly remembered
1993 500E - sorely missed.
1975 VW Scirocco w/ slightly de-tuned Super-Vee engine - Sold after 30+ years.

Not the fist time this has happened. You might be able to wedge something in there to limp home.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/310699-new-purchase-1-dollar-240-a-17.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/291932-front-coil-spring-snapped-1983-240d.html

__________________
$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
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No merc at the moment

Sorry it is a 1978 300D

1978 300D added to your profile and activated signature.

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__________________
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1985 300SD
1983 300D
2003 Volvo V70

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I would get it towed. Sounds like the coil let go. You have AAA, right? This is why !

You'll want to replace at least both fronts and inspect the rears to make sure that they aren't junking out on you yet.

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

I need a picture of the broken spring, before giving a solid answer.

Tentatively I would guess you will not be able to get the broken spring back in, or trust it to remain in place.

The suspension ride height will be wrong = excess tire wear.

.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
https://whunter.carrd.co/

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
2003 Volvo V70

https://www.boldegoist.com/

What state are you in?

There may be a member near you with spare parts.


.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
https://whunter.carrd.co/

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
2003 Volvo V70

https://www.boldegoist.com/

Actually he is in Canada, well north of me I believe in Ontario.

I am going to put another forum member in my area in touch, who likely has a front spring for a 240d... will that work?

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Only as an emergency measure.

The 240 spring is lighter / weaker.

He needs a W123 300D front spring.


.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
https://whunter.carrd.co/

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
2003 Volvo V70

https://www.boldegoist.com/

welcome to an awful front coil spring job.

When mine broke, I cut the broken end off square, and reinstalled it until a pair of new springs arrived in the mail. This worked fine, the car was slightly lopsided, but it made more sense to keep it rolling. Your lower spring cup/mount on the control arm is probably also damaged. I bashed mine back into shape, but you need to see how bad yours is.

there are several things you need for this, and you will need to do.

1. you are going to need a spring compressor for a mercedes from the tool share list on this forum if you are going to do this yourself, OR find a shop that has the right compressor and has some idea of what they are doing. More than one person has had awful reports about shops screwing up spring jobs on the 123

2. You are going to need to dremel out the hole in the body above the spring that the compressor is supposed to fit through so that it actually fits. (I would do this even before I dropped it at a shop personally, unless the mechanic already knows about it. The spring compressor will otherwise not fit, and you will be really sorry if you get it stuck in there before making sure it can be removed. You will be even more sorry if a mechanic does the same thing any you get to pay for them to learn how to undo it.

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Removing and installing a New Spring and the Tools needed:
DIY Repair Links
DIY Links by Parts Category - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum
PeachPartsWiki: Do It Yourself Articles - Mercedes Vehicles

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I have one of these. Still haven't used it but many other members have these and other than having to modify the car they work great.

Mercedes Suspension Coil Spring Compressor Tool Kit Set | eBay

Thanks for the sig update, something I should have done long before. I am located in Ontario Canada just outside Owen Sound.

There was no tire contact with the fender so I chanced limping it across the street to a mechanic place that has worked on the car before. It won't be possible to do the work myself, I don't have a garage and the winter has been pretty inimical to working outside. I will pass on the specifics mentioned here, thank you very much again for all the good advise.

This forum is indeed a treasure!

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1978 300D

You only need to enlarge the opening when using a clone compressor rather than a $$$ original MB/Klann compressor. IIRC there's a Klann set for sale in the part forum for $850 - http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/350652-wts-klann-0025-spring-compressor-set-extra.html .

If no one suggested it yet, consider replacing both front coils with a matched set. It might be time for new spring pads too.

Sixto
87 300D