Replacing Front Springs on a 210

[GordonTarling]

230K - there was a rotten one on one side of mine when Ian did it - no sign of one on the other side! The washers are made of zinc and I think they are there to stop the wishbone and/or the spring corroding. I have a funny feeling that there is some strange electrolytic metallurgy reaction between the wishbone and the spring which manifests itself as embrittlement of the spring material in that area. Haven't you wondered why they both broke in almost exactly the same place? Mine both were broken in the same place as yours! If they were breaking purely from fatigue, then surely there'd be variation in the position of the breaks? We need a metallurgist to enlighten us!

 

[skemball]

I believe the reason the springs snap is because the rust onto the support cups.

When a spring compresses or lengthens the end of the coil MUST be able to rotate clockwise or anti-clockwise depending on whether it is expanding or compressing.

If it is rusted solid it cannot rotate and if the stresses are high enough it will snap.

 

[230K]

Hi

The spacer/washer was only specified for some markets according to EPC, Uk being one of them.

230K

 

[GordonTarling]

230K - MB obviously feel that our climate warrants their use!

skemball - not sure your'e right about the rotation - there's no provision for that made at the bottom end of the spring, though I guess the rubber seat at the top end would take up any slight rotation.

 

[maddog]

So w210 springs last 270k then?

mine have just gone at 65,000miles

Great post and great spring compressors

 

[renault12ts]

An old thread I know. But what most impresses me is that 230K has a hoist in his garage. Where do I get one of those????

 

[lynall]

Brian waxoyl that car now!



Lynall

 

[230K]

Brian waxoyl that car now!



Lynall

I have done but just realised it was over 3 years ago so i might get her this summer again.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=20271&highlight=waxoyl

230k

 

[230K]

An old thread I know. But what most impresses me is that 230K has a hoist in his garage. Where do I get one of those????

Keep looking and one will turn up. 240V ones are rare enough. I paid 6 or 700 cant remember but best money i ever spent.

230K

 

[sms78]

Thanks to 230k

Sorry to bring up a old post but just like to say thank you because i followed your spring removal post this weekend to change both of my front springs that snapped .

I have got more or less the same spring compessor as you but i found that i had to undo the drop links and top shock mounts to seperate the suspension a bit to get the compressed springs in and out .

I have now got arms like pop eye with all the spanner action needed to wind up the springs in the compressor.
Also a word of warning to anybody using this type of compressor is to make sure you watch what you are doing and to make sure that you have the compressor spring cups the right way round .
I got distracted by a neighbour and wound up the spring for the compressor to shoot apart firing the spring compressor cup across the front garden!

Thanks

 

[johnsco]

Excellent post.
Thanks a million 230K..

Cheers.
Johnsco

 

[230K]

Hi

The car is up for MOT this afternoon and i was giving her the once over this morning and i have a broken spring again! Original set did 270k miles second set only did 45k miles and 3 1/2 years

I couldn't get a spring from the dealers so fingers crossed they do not catch it on in the test at 14.45

Think i will send the wife up with it

230K

 

[Dieselman]

Pull the broken piece out so it's not obvious.

 

[230K]

I have done

230K

 

[230K]

HI

Happy days She passed the MOT even with the broken spring. Must replace it soon though

230K

 

[tjamesbo]

ref ollies

Be careful when the spring is fully tensioned

(post 14)
Any particular tips ???I am about to do this with a compressor like the one in the piccie in post #1 tensioned means fully compressed ???
I am doing this on the front of a 124