[Doug]

A method I have used to "compress" a spring is to use a piece of all-thread rod installed inside the coil spring. I use a 3/8" diameter rod about 22" overall length. Using a drilled piece of metal large big enough to span the shock opening on the bottom control arm, double nut the bottom of the rod and insert it up through the coil spring and up through the upper shock mount hole in the upper control arm and double nut the top end of the rod. (The required length of the rod depends on individual situations.)

If the rod is inserted when the load is on the spring, several inches of the top of the rod will be exposed. By tightening the top end nuts down to a snug fit, the load can be taken off the spring and loosening the top end nuts will allow the lower control arm to move down enough so that all load is off the spring. The threaded rod is removed and the spring can be removed. A reverse of this procedure is used to install the spring. I spot weld the nuts on the lower end of the rod to keep them from coming off allowing the top end nuts to be loosened or tightened by holding the lower end nuts. This also allows use of an air wrench on the lower end nuts to speed up the operation.

Attached are some pics showing the use of threaded rods on my 63 Tempest springs. As you can see, the top and bottom of the spring (and rod) are both outside of the fender liner. Some cars may have the tops inside of the fenderwell making for the need to have someone assist in "wrenching". I have used this technique on various types of cars.