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By 2DRHRDTP57 - 17 Years Ago
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What do you guys use for installing front springs and or what method, I have the body off the chassis and engine out at present so i dont have a lot of weight to use the jack method. Any one got pics of tools etc?
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By charliemccraney - 17 Years Ago
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I've not yet done an independent front suspenison. But it seems like the jack method should still work. That's where you support the frame and use a jack to unload each A-arm, right. It will be safer with a spring compresser, though. I've heard a few stories about springs flying - and I mean flying - out using that method.
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By 2DRHRDTP57 - 17 Years Ago
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Thats what worries me Charles, I have them out already chassis is painted and "A" arms in and springs painted now trying to refit coil springs with the least amount of bark off my shiney painted parts
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By PF Arcand - 17 Years Ago
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Your 57s are a modified continuation of 56s aren't they? If so I'm not sure, but when I had the "A" arm bushings replaced on my 57,(in Canada) the installer told me the springs were a bear to re install. So be careful! Since 56s (in N. America) tended to sit a bit high in front, How about slightly lowering the car with shorter springs? Just a thought..
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By 2DRHRDTP57 - 17 Years Ago
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PF Arcand (12/21/2008)
Your 57s are a modified continuation of 56s aren't they? If so I'm not sure, but when I had the "A" arm bushings replaced on my 57,(in Canada) the installer told me the springs were a bear to re install. So be careful! Since 56s (in N. America) tended to sit a bit high in front, How about slightly lowering the car with shorter springs? Just a thought..Nope, that was Australia, In good old New Zealand our models were always the same as the USA models, New Zealand is a much more sophisticated country than Australia, always at the cutting edge... That outa get a few going... Lon MozYeehaaBill But we didnt get the Y till a year later than the USA, our 54's were still Flathead 8BA engines. Its a 57 just like your 57's in fact this car is ex California a LHD club victoria imported 5 years ago.
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By Moz - 17 Years Ago
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and i thought you were a nice bloke dutchy. you know the only reason we kept the customlines an extra 2 years is cause we love them so much
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By 2DRHRDTP57 - 17 Years Ago
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Moz (12/22/2008)
and i thought you were a nice bloke dutchy. you know the only reason we kept the customlines an extra 2 years is cause we love them so muchJust joking moz, I really am a nice bloke, and I love Australians, I lived there for 9 years and loved every minute of it. But it was too good of a opportunity to let go... Heres a pic of Moz and me Downunder 
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By Moz - 17 Years Ago
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i knew you were never met a kiwi that wasnt thats why we have anzacs which are great if you dunk them in coffee
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By bird55 - 17 Years Ago
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Removing or installing , Use a 3' or so long pice of heavy chain and drop it down thru the spring and out the a frame - bolt it together around some piece nearby. That way if it gets loose it won't knock your teeth out if it jumps out. Lots of force there!
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By bird55 - 17 Years Ago
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On the install, I rigged up this HILLBILLY contraption with 4" x 4" wooden post beams from concrete floor to a beam I had in the ceiling, then drilled and bolted a 2" x 6" crossbrace over the top of the frame to the vertical posts. Then it was unmovable,up or down. Used a floor jack to raise and lower the A-frames. Worked perfectly and was easy to make and tear down. It looked really embarrassing. 
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 17 Years Ago
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It's probably too late, you probably have the springs in by now with the great suggestions. I have a piece of 5/8 all thread, fish it through the shock hole, the spring, and the A Arm, put a plate on the bottom with a nut, a washer and nut on the top of the shock mount, and crank it down to compress the spring. Spring can't possibly escape if something slips. I use it to remove the spring also. I have found a thrust bearing out of an old kingpin set that I use under the upper washer, makes turning the nut easier. John in Selma, IN
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By 2DRHRDTP57 - 17 Years Ago
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Hoosier Hurricane (12/23/2008)
It's probably too late, you probably have the springs in by now with the great suggestions. I have a piece of 5/8 all thread, fish it through the shock hole, the spring, and the A Arm, put a plate on the bottom with a nut, a washer and nut on the top of the shock mount, and crank it down to compress the spring. Spring can't possibly escape if something slips. I use it to remove the spring also. I have found a thrust bearing out of an old kingpin set that I use under the upper washer, makes turning the nut easier. John in Selma, IN I have not accomplished yet john I tried 16mm allthread to compress the spring only with the lower and upper A arms installed on their pivots. I cranked and cranked till there was a pile of sweat on the floor but either the spring cocked over or I just couldnt get it high enough with the power of the 16mm thread. a thrust washer may have helped. So you are saying that you are pulling up the lower A arm unmounted with the coil spring engaged also and then mounting the lower pivots bushes afterwards, is that right???? Regards
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 17 Years Ago
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Dutchy: No, I push the lower A Arm down with the arm attached to the frame until I can get the spring into its pocket, jack the arm up until it lifts the frame, then put the allthread in. I don't see why your allthread didn't work, 16mm is virtually the same size as my 5/8". John
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By 2DRHRDTP57 - 17 Years Ago
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Hoosier Hurricane (12/23/2008)
Dutchy: No, I push the lower A Arm down with the arm attached to the frame until I can get the spring into its pocket, jack the arm up until it lifts the frame, then put the allthread in. I don't see why your allthread didn't work, 16mm is virtually the same size as my 5/8". John John, My springs are currently stock length i think (but if I dont get some results shortly may be 1 - 1 1/2 coils shorter...) I cant even get the spring into the pocket at this length, the springs are currently 15 1/2 inches in height??? Stock i am guessing, I am about to try removing the a arm mount bolts and trying to attach the stub axle to both a arms and then see if I can get the spring in the pocket and then jack the lower a arm up and refit the lower a arm bolts to the frame??? Anyone tried this before??? It looks all to easy in the manual, but as this is just a frame without engine and trans and body I dont have a lot of down weight to use to my advantage, I dont really want to gark up my chassis paintwork with a chain at this stage but might have to. The 16mm rod bent like a freakin banana and is good for nothing but garage art now... Any input appreciated from all Regards and all the best to everyone for the festive season. I enjoy the company of all the forum members and the advice and knowledge of all. Stay safe. (hopefully I dont end up pinned under the A arm for a week until help arrives... Might pack some supplies at arms reach...
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By 2DRHRDTP57 - 17 Years Ago
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There in!!! I had a go at what you said john and without the allthread in got the spring engaged in the pocket, Then (toms thoughts kicked in) I put a 1" fabric ratchet motorcycle tie down over the top of the top a arm and down onto the lower a arm steering bump stop, It ratcheted up no problem and I was able to then fit the lower ball joint a piece of cake. I still have all my digits, both eyes and didn't lose any bark off my paint either i put some rag over the top a arm where the strap would have rubbed and it worked fine. If you look at a problem long enough and seek some good advice along the way, it all works out in the end. Cheers all.
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By 2DRHRDTP57 - 17 Years Ago
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Yeah Tom I made sure I had a chain through it as you said though "You do not need a lot of weight to install the springs" the leverage gained with this method made it a very easy install, the ratchet strap did it with ease. I guess like anything there is varied quality ratchet straps, I wouldnt probably try it with a $2.99 type one, then again I wouldn't tie my bikes down with them either Merry Xmas everyone
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By yfreak57 - 17 Years Ago
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Glad you had your job done. This kind of tool is best for that job. Done that several times with different length of springs. 
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By 2DRHRDTP57 - 16 Years Ago
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Nice tool yfreak, never seen one like it, who makes it???
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By yfreak57 - 16 Years Ago
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Just found this pic from internet: http://zdmak.com/wbstore/main.asp?LowCt=0&action=cat&cat=MERCEDES%20TOOLS Tool which I've used was loaned from Mercedes-service (thanks to Seppo ).
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