All I am goign to say in this thread is this:

NEVER REMOVE SRPINGS WITHOUT A COMPRESSOR.

I have seen pics of guys that have lost their hands for stupid sh!t like that. If you want things donr right and safely, and you dont have the proper tools, it's always better to spend a few bucks and get it done at a shop and get it done right.

Now that I have said that.

It's not that hard to remove springs (the proper way with a compressor) and I'm not sure about your local shops, but around here its not that expensive. hell if you want, take the struts and springs and what-not off your car, and then take them to the shop and tell them what you want done, that way THEY dont have to do the removal and install and charge you more.

I charge $35 a strut or a set of 4 for $125. I'm not sure how that compares to shops around the nation, but around her I'm the lowest price and I get all the business for a total of about 10-15 mins of work.