My first time swapping springs I never used one. I unbolted the top nut with the whole spring/shock assembly facing sideways and a friend holding it all down with a pillow. Once I got it unbolted the springs launched the shock to the wall the speed of a bullet. The opposite side my wrench went flying down the driveway. Then my hand got a scratch. :wtc: Now theres holes in the wallin my friends garage from the strut fork. Everytime after that Ive used the spring compressor. Its just that much safer and actually easier having one. :thumbup: