Gary, thanks for the link to the tool guys.

Well I've been forced to accept defeat on what I had hoped would be be an easy spring RE/RE job. (no bruised knuckles, torn finger nails or cuts either, which is some consolation I suppose)

Defeated by lack of the right tool on this one. The generic spring compressor just won't work out in the confined space as far as I can see. By the time the spring is compressed enough the amount of threaded rod protruding from the end gets in the way and there is no easy but safe way that I could find to make it work.

Trying to take apart other major components of the suspension or drive train to get the room for the less capable tool is just asking for more problems til I get to know more about these cars.

So I'll enjoy driving the car with its old saggy bottom as it is for a couple more months, and see if I can round up a tool that compresses the spring without having 6 inches of rod sticking out one end or the other and I'll eventually get her looking trim and firm again.

I see quite a few of these 123 style cars with the same tired looking backends so I don't feel alone with this condition.

Trev