How to fit back the rear axle center spring?

[GGR]

Hi all,

I use sedan center springs on my cars. these are shorter and easy to put back in place with the jack trick where I put the inner bolt of the right bracket in place and then lift the bracket with a jack until the second bolt aligns with the threads.

Now the Pagoda center spring is quite longer and I can't do the jack trick as I can't compress the spring enough the get the first bolt in place. How you guys are putting the Pagoda's longer center spring back in place? There does not seem to be much room to use traditional spring compressors either?

[Benz Dr.]

I use a hooked bar which will fit into the back of the bracket and then I pry it upwards until the holes align. With the shocks undone from the axle it's not too hard to compress the spring.

[Mike K]

I compressed the new spring off the car with spring compressors, then used some webbing straps from a ratchet, wrapped the webbing around a couple of times on 2 sides of the spring, tied some double knots, fitted the spring and then cut the webbing once spring is in place.

I've just done the same earlier this week with the rear springs, which I removed when replacing the bushings and rubber doughnuts on the trailing arms.

It's by far the easiest method I've used to replace the springs. I use a lot of webbing to do this, maybe over-kill, but much safer.

Compliments of Dr Benz who gave me the idea....

Best,
Mike

[Benz Dr.]

A hooked bar is even easier.

[ja17]

I use a threaded rod through the center of the spring.  I'll post some pics when time permits.

[GGR]

Thanks Joe. Pictures would indeed be greatly appreciated to visualize the set-up. 

[Harry]

I just finished this work on my 230SL.  If you search, you'll find my recent post.  I used the threaded rod as Joe recommends but I also disconnected both shocks to allow the axles to drop.  This reduced the amount of compression that I had to do.

Just be cautious not to let the axles drop so much that you are hanging on the brake lines.

Harry

[Harry]

BTW - that post is under "1966 230SL Torque Arm Reassembly".  Be careful!

[Benz Dr.]

I'm telling you, a hooked bar is so easy to do '' a cave man could do it ''. The spring retainer has a flat recess that is designed to do this job.

Undo each shock, remove the right screw that holds the spring retainer, loosen the left screw a bit so the retainer can pivot, fit the spring, hook your bar behind the flat plate and lift. When the screw hole aligns, insert the right screw and then tighten each screw down. Install your shocks and you're done. You will probably need to lower the exhaust system to provide clearance.

Trust me, this works.

[GGR]

Dan, I can't figure how you do this. In my case, by undoing the spring retainer the way you describe, I have no way to engage it in the spring as it extends past the retainer. This is with both shocks and exhaust undone and wheel tubes hanging to their maximum.

[Benz Dr.]

We do it all of the time. Both axles need to be fully down which releases any pressure on the spring. There will still be a small amount of pressure which you should be able to overcome by using the hooked bar to start the spring on to the retainer. I guess it's not that easy to for me to describe. It works but I can't explain it.

[GGR]

It looks like the spring I am dealing with is longer than normal then. When I undid the retainer there was still a lot of pressure. Sedan springs are shorter and I have no problem doing it the way you describe.

[Mike K]

Have a look at the spring specs. from the SLS website to compare with the spring you're dealing with.
http://www.sls-hh-shop.de/en/230-280SL-W113/35-Rear-Suspension/35-a-Rear-Suspension/Compensating-spring-11-9mm-Compensating-spring-11-9mm.html

See pic as well; this is the spring I bought and fitted.

Best,
Mike

[GGR]

It looks quite similar. I'm away from home now so I can't get back to it. I will figure out something when I'm back.