First time I used mine was at PNP removing the front springs from an old 240D.
with the cars sitting up on those welded rims for stands, the suspention hangs down, and the spring has a curve to it. after hand filing the hole down with a rasp, which seemed to take for ever.
I place in the lower plates and upper and slide the rod in, well the rod is straight and the lower plate is off a bit. after fiddling with it, I get the rod in, but can`t get it to lock in securely with the lower plate. now it is in a bind, and cant get it to release, and my tool is stuck.
Jacks are not allowed, and I even scoured through several rows of cars looking for an elusive jack. It is getting close to closing time and Iam in a panic, can`t leave my tool in this car over night.
Don`t remember what I did but finally got it to release. then moved the lower plate up a coil or so and compressed the spring. It didn`t compress it enough to remove it, so I had to remove the nut for the upper control arm and lower steering knuckle, once it dropped I got the spring out. It was compressed enough it wasn`t a problem.
Man what a learning experience.
Charlie