Nic:

You will have to remove the shock to compress the spring as the only way to compress it is with an internal spring compressor -- you can't reach enough of the coils from outside.

Don't overtighten the top nuts on the shock going back in -- the thread should just stick out of the locking nut (there are two).

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!