I know that he wasnt saying to compress the spring with a a ratchet strap.

However i would love to actually see someone replace the guide rod mounts without pulling the springs out. i hate to admit it, but i did attempt to replace a GRM using a ratchet strap to hold the LCA forward, couldnt do it and it was a very unsafe process in my book. There is simply not enough room to get the guide rod far enough forward so you can turn it and pull it down to unscrew the mount.

I use only the Klann spring compressor to remove the springs, safe and painless.

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg