I'm trying to swap my front springs out for some stiffer ones, although the ones in my car look to be relatively new. Still black and still have a paper tag on them. Who knows though, they feel weak.

Anyhoo, I got everything off down to the A-arms thinking the springs would just drop out with a jack. The sway bar stopped me. Maybe a good thing? So I went down to the store and rented some spring compressors which wont fit, cuz the damn springs go up in the frame, and they are too long to go any other way.
Is there a certain spring compressor I need? Or should I just disconnect the sway bar and let er rip?!

 

You got to unbolt the sway bar & tie rod. With a hydraulic jack under the A-arm, slowly lower the arm until it bottoms out. THe stock springs are pretty long & will require a pry bar to help them out of the lower A-arm seat. See the picture below. This is what it should look like with the A-Arm all the way down.
Corky

 

I strongly advise a chain around the spring and a-arm--that or jack up your health insurance.

JamesC

 

Thanks a lot man. But doh! tie rod too? I guess an alignment was in order anyway with the new springs. I hear ya about the chain.

 

JamesC - Thanks for the reminder about the chain! My picture shows the chain removed. Make sure you use a chain on the spring - these springs will decapitate a man if unleashed!
Good Catch,
Corky