what i do is, i placed the entire shock/spring component against a wooden fence or sidewalk, place a wheel up against it and have a friend stand on it, while i stand on the shock/spring and take the nut off. the whole thing barely moved and the nut doesnt go flying anywhere. but if you wanna be safe, you can always rent a spring compressor for free at autozone, they take a deposit and refund it back to you when you return it.