Thanks everyone for the advice. I would have never been able to undertake some of the repairs that I have done without help from people on this forum. I do this stuff myself partly to save money but more to learn about this car I like so much. I really appreciate the help.

I will:

1) compress the spring correctly using right tool;
2) remove front subframe bolts and place support under it;
3) remove bolts above differential while supporting it and lower several inches;
4) pry or lower the front of the subframe so that I can get to the outside bushings;
5) lower the trailing arms and remove the old bushings (the hard way), will wait to see if shocks must be undone to allow arm to fall far enough;
6) apply syl glide to new bushings and press in with "c" clamp;
7) reverse the whole affair.

thanks again,

Nic