W211 Rear Spring change with internal spring compressor question

[W1ghty]

I changed the shocks on the rear of my 2009 E320cdi the other day but failed to undo any of the lower control arm bolts that seat the base of the spring .
I was thinking earlier , is it possible to use internal spring compressors to compress the spring enough to remove it without releasing either end of the lower control arm . The lower control arm has a hole below the spring to allow an internal spring compressor through it .
I do have an internal spring compressor.
I can hear you thinking well if he has one , why doesn’t he just try it .
In order for it to work I’m going to have to cut the top 2 inches off the internal thread of the compressor because as it squeezes the spring the internal thread rises out of the top of the compressor and fouls on to the rubber top mount of the spring .
I wonder if anyone has had any success along these lines ?
If not it’s Indy time .

 

[Stratman]

Rather than mutilate your compressor, see if it will compress the spring sufficiently if the top lugs are engaged further down the spring, only compressing part of it.

 

[colinallcars]

I changed the shocks on the rear of my 2009 E320cdi the other day but failed to undo any of the lower control arm bolts that seat the base of the spring .
I was thinking earlier , is it possible to use internal spring compressors to compress the spring enough to remove it without releasing either end of the lower control arm . The lower control arm has a hole below the spring to allow an internal spring compressor through it .
I do have an internal spring compressor.
I can hear you thinking well if he has one , why doesn’t he just try it .
In order for it to work I’m going to have to cut the top 2 inches off the internal thread of the compressor because as it squeezes the spring the internal thread rises out of the top of the compressor and fouls on to the rubber top mount of the spring .
I wonder if anyone has had any success along these lines ?
If not it’s Indy time .

With the car up on a ramp it should be possible to get the bolts out and replace the control arms and springs. Won’t need a Mercedes indie, any competent garage should be able to do it. I wouldn’t go butchering the compressor.

 

[W1ghty]

With the car up on a ramp it should be possible to get the bolts out and replace the control arms and springs. Won’t need a Mercedes indie, any competent garage should be able to do it. I wouldn’t go butchering the compressor.

That’s my plan if I can‘t change them , but the spring compressor cost £50 . I’m more wondering if anyone has managed a spring change without control arm removal .
It still irks me that I couldn’t do it

 

[colinallcars]

That’s my plan if I can‘t change them , but the spring compressor cost £50 . I’m more wondering if anyone has managed a spring change without control arm removal .
It still irks me that I couldn’t do it

Give it another go - you know you want to!
I shifted the SLK ones by removing the nut and rotating the bolt with a socket and breaker bar, a few sharp tugs back and forth. Once it’s out it’s plain sailing.

 

[W1ghty]

Give it another go - you know you want to!
I shifted the SLK ones by removing the nut and rotating the bolt with a socket and breaker bar, a few sharp tugs back and forth. Once it’s out it’s plain sailing.

Can you imagine if that through bolt connecting the lower arm to the subframe snapped when it was rusted in and I’m then on axle stands with an undriveable car

 

[colinallcars]

Can you imagine if that through bolt connecting the lower arm to the subframe snapped when it was rusted in and I’m then on axle stands with an undriveable car

It’s about 15mm diameter, it will take some force to break it though I understand your caution.

 

[W1ghty]

Not doing my springs on the rear of the E class the other day I had another attempt at loosening the inner bolt holding the lower control arm to the subframe .
Before rain stopped play I managed to get some movement on one side of the car . I’ve sprayed some lube on both bolts and will continue my attempts tomorrow.
Using a large breaker bar that was bending nicely got things moving . I think pressure wise I was into the “wind release” zone , maybe even moving to the “brown” zone
I need to get this job done . Otherwise I might have to give back my mechanics L plate badge

 

[W1ghty]

Does anyone know if reversing a bolt will cause any problems . So at the moment the 16 spline bolt is at the rear with the nut forward of the LCA .
If I end up changing the bolt or find it easier to insert it the other way would that cause an issue ?

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Does anyone know if reversing a bolt will cause any problems . So at the moment the 16 spline bolt is at the rear with the nut forward of the LCA .
If I end up changing the bolt or find it easier to insert it the other way would that cause an issue ?

I swapped them on the front legs on my w211 and w219 , getting them off having to push up rather than down was a nightmare. I didn't have any issues, it's probably just the easiest way for the lads in the factory to fit them that way. ??

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I swapped them on the front legs on my w211 and w219 , getting them off having to push up rather than down was a nightmare. I didn't have any issues, it's probably just the easiest way for the lads in the factory to fit them that way. ??

And lasses sorry ,pc brigade looking in.

 

[W1ghty]

And lasses sorry ,pc brigade looking in.

What about all the other 97genders buddy

 

[colinallcars]

What about all the other 97genders buddy

They don’t mind how they’re screwed?

 

[OneForTheRoad]

What about all the other 97genders buddy

My my you must get about sir !!!

 

[W1ghty]

Well the rear springs , shocks and lower control arms along with new subframe bushes are all in . I would like to say that i did all the work but after 20 hours of fun on axle stands it became clear that the inner lower control arm bolt was totally seized to the bush .
At this point I had undone the outer LCA bolt to the hub , a fair number of those hours were spent trying to re connect the LCA to the hub . In the end after a valiant attempt I used a metal punch to connect the front toe arm to the hub , a strap to hold the hub to the LCA and a very thin bolt and nut to hold the camber arm to the hub .
A very stressed drive for half a mile at 3 mph up the road to the local garage (they don’t have a recovery vehicle) I left the old girl with them . It’s a good thing there was no Po Po around .
A week or so later they did the work of new LCA’s and springs (I had already done the shocks, I must get some credit for that and saved myself £20) He said they had to remove the exhaust and fit new bushes . it took them 4.5 hours .
Kindly he said there was no way it could have been done on axle stands .
The bill was £450 which included new subframe bushes and bolts .
I’ve just done a Wales and back trip and the cars ride and handling has been transformed. I had done the front shocks and springs a few months ago .
Probably the first time I have been well and truly beaten .
Roll on the next saga

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Well the rear springs , shocks and lower control arms along with new subframe bushes are all in . I would like to say that i did all the work but after 20 hours of fun on axle stands it became clear that the inner lower control arm bolt was totally seized to the bush .
At this point I had undone the outer LCA bolt to the hub , a fair number of those hours were spent trying to re connect the LCA to the hub . In the end after a valiant attempt I used a metal punch to connect the front toe arm to the hub , a strap to hold the hub to the LCA and a very thin bolt and nut to hold the camber arm to the hub .
A very stressed drive for half a mile at 3 mph up the road to the local garage (they don’t have a recovery vehicle) I left the old girl with them . It’s a good thing there was no Po Po around .
A week or so later they did the work of new LCA’s and springs (I had already done the shocks, I must get some credit for that and saved myself £20) He said they had to remove the exhaust and fit new bushes . it took them 4.5 hours .
Kindly he said there was no way it could have been done on axle stands .
The bill was £450 which included new subframe bushes and bolts .
I’ve just done a Wales and back trip and the cars ride and handling has been transformed. I had done the front shocks and springs a few months ago .
Probably the first time I have been well and truly beaten .
Roll on the next saga

Bridge to far . At least you tried . I dare bet the garage used oxy acetalane at some point also. If you pencil in all the £££££ you've saved over the years ,the £450 was a freebie.

 

[m80]

So you have replaced the rear air bags with coil springs?
What do you think is the biggest factor/s in transforming the ride?

As you know recently, with you much appreciated help, I replaced pretty much all of the wear and tear components on the front end. Struts, springs, top / lower ball joints and track rod ends.

When the S211 was on the ATS ramp I looked at the rear bags and concluded that it looked like a bigger job then I would enjoy, if they needed replacing. You've confirmed that it's best going to a garage come that day.

 

[W1ghty]

So you have replaced the rear air bags with coil springs?
What do you think is the biggest factor/s in transforming the ride?

As you know recently, with you much appreciated help, I replaced pretty much all of the wear and tear components on the front end. Struts, springs, top / lower ball joints and track rod ends.

When the S211 was on the ATS ramp I looked at the rear bags and concluded that it looked like a bigger job then I would enjoy, if they needed replacing. You've confirmed that it's best going to a garage come that day.

I’m a saloon W211 , no air bags (aren’t they only on the estates)
I think the problems I faced were aged related that the LCA bolt was seized and at the other end of the LCA I found it impossible to relocate the bolt connecting it back to the hub (that bolt came out easily enough) . If you go on YouTube and read some of the comments about getting the LCA connected to the hub again , there were phrases like “epic battle” and “2 days work” .
In your case if the airbag will come out without undoing either end of the LCA it should be easy to diy ?

 

[W1ghty]

Bridge to far . At least you tried . I dare bet the garage used oxy acetalane at some point also. If you pencil in all the £££££ you've saved over the years ,the £450 was a freebie.

I think the D Day landings were a quicker job than my attempt . I’m just glad I could limp the car to a local garage

 

[m80]

I’m a saloon W211 , no air bags (aren’t they only on the estates)
I think the problems I faced were aged related that the LCA bolt was seized and at the other end of the LCA I found it impossible to relocate the bolt connecting it back to the hub (that bolt came out easily enough) . If you go on YouTube and read some of the comments about getting the LCA connected to the hub again , there were phrases like “epic battle” and “2 days work” .
In your case if the airbag will come out without undoing either end of the LCA it should be easy to diy ?

Thanks for that, I did wonder if the saloon came with air bags.
Nice to know replacement of the bags isn't as complicated as i thought I saw. But they are expensive so I'm not rushing at it anyway.

Before the 211 pooped a front spring I was already getting the components together to replace all such gear for the Viano, front and rear, but the 211 jumped the queue.
With thoughts the Viano is to be here for many years the axle associated gear is my next project.

Including tools I've spent close on £1,500 doing this for both vehicles so far. £60 to ATS, the rest on materials.