Mike, you absolutely do not need to use a spring compressor to remove and re-install springs....unless maybe, if you have the engine out of the car. I don't know why everyone insists you have to use these awkward things. As long as you jack the car up high enough (high setting on most regular jack stands), the lower control arm will easily drop down far enough to release the spring. Having said that, you might want to "chain-off" the spring before you lower the LCA down, just to be sure it doesn't "jump out" as it will want to do at the end of the process. Just go slow with the floor jack when letting it down, as it is under a lot of pressure.
You're welcome.
You're welcome again.
No, really...you're quite welcome
Maybe it's because I've done it a dozen times (or more) and some springs just don't wanna cooperate..........
I hear ya DaveMaybe it's because I've done it a dozen times (or more) and some springs just don't wanna cooperate..........
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. And I can picture it maybe being trickier when replacing stock springs because of the little extra length, but he's lowering the car with shorter springs. When I was reading here before doing mine, people were telling me I'd probably have to cut em' out, torch em' out, needed a compressor, etc... (and I can understand some being rusted in place), but a pal here convinced me I didn't need a compressor, and he was right...as long as the car is jacked up high for the LCA to come down enough. But yeah, I know any projects we take on with our cars....can take on a whole new dimension and direction after we get going 
