I dont mean to hijack this thread, but I just did my shocks with new blistens. The old front shocks from shock up were:
1. shock
2. large washer
3. rubber washer
4. car frame
5. ruber washer
6. large washer
7. top nut

With the blistens, number 2 was not in either shock package. It looked as if they were meant to go from the shock to the rubber washer then the frame.

I tried to re use the old washer but I could not get the top nut on with the extra washer, the shock was not long enough.

I installed without those washers, and I assume I did the install correctly and that the blistens are just different, but I wanted to make sure with everyone here.

To answer spugeddy, no they are not compressed when they come to you. I didnt even take off the wheels or support the control arm. I just turned the wheels all the way one way, took out the bolt, turned the other way, took out the other bolt, shock came right out.

To reinstall, I just simply put in the blisten the same way as removal, with the upper shock up in the wheel well. When it came time to put the top nut on, I just simply pushed down on the shock and compressed it myself, moved over to the frame hole, and let go. Very easy.