Is there any reason why removing a broken coil spring on my W123 would be any harder than if it wasn't broken? Or worse yet, am I going to have to go through hell on the other side too?
Front spring. Russek manual says "undo shock, lift car, attach compressor to 5-6 coils and tighten until spring comes out". Haynes says "attach compressor to 9 coils after jacking up front suspension arm, release jack, spring will come out".
Well, I've tried it with both Draper (2 hooks at each end, annoyingly not quite tight enough curve for the coil) and 'hook at each end' compressors, and the sodding spring won't come out. It's broken at the top, I've tried clamping the top to it /and/ avoiding the broken section, and the coil /always/ seems to come out except for one last bit that doesn't want to release the tension on the seat.
I'm tempted to try prying the bugger out, but common sense is presently engaged.
How the hell I'm going to get the new ones in is beyond me.
I've spent about 3 hours on one side so far. I'm beginning to think a Mercedes dealer would be cheaper in terms of time...
Richard