I'm pissed. I have KYB's and H&R ready to go on my 97 civic. I removed pinch bolt, and LCA bolt, undid the two tower bolts and slid the suspension assembly out the side... then I discover the spring compressor (the macpherson external screw type) won't fit between the coils. Each of the "claws" are too long to squeeze between the coil spaces. I could bang em in there, and that would get the old spring off (once it expands) but I don't see how I'll get them to release the new springs once they are compressed.

Am I doing something wrong? Any suggestions?

 

usually... the new springs can fit on without having to compress them....
so ig you can get the stock ones off safely then you can finish

 

Ok I got it. I had to disassemble the compressors first and get them inbetween the coils. Then feed the bolt through.

Stock springs are so compressed it's annoying!!

I put on H&R OE sports so I still needed to compress them somewhat.

I wish I had access to a proper suspension press.

TIP THAT MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE: when using spring compressors, leave the strut inside the spring. That way, if the compressors slip, the spring can't shoot out the side and kill you. (Or maim you.)

I'm gonna post up my how-to in a few days.