Without sloting the plate, it won't go through the spring (duh) so I am looking at 2 approaches.

1. Take spare spring case (saddle the spring sits in on control arm) and mount it to my floor jack (maybe the whole control arm). Jack the spring up into the upper pocket then secure the compressed spring, remove jack...etc etc.

2. flat steel strip going through the spring with u-clamps holding it to the spring. Threaded rod from engine compartment.

Don

__________________
1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it