It's been 8+ years so I don't remember exactly... but, I think if you have compressed the spring and it's not dropping down away from the keepers, you will need to tap on the compressor tool to get the keepers freed up.
On a side note, I believe the new seals cut oil consumption in half... 500-600 miles per quart before, 1000-1200 miles per quart after with new seals. I sold the car in early 2007 with 217kmi and the next owner drove it to 295kmi before trading it in for something a bit newer in early 2012. To fully cure the oil consumption it would have needed new valve guides.
