W123 Spring removal

[dsvw]

Hi,

I am replacing the lower control arm bushings on my W123 300D. The driver's side is done.

For some reason, I can't seem to get the spring compressor to work on the passenger side. The angle that the spring compressor rod ends up after I feed it through the hole under the hood and down through the coil spring will not allow me to feed the rod through the three holes of the lower plate.

I disconnected the shock and the joint to the upper control arm and have supported the lower control arm.

Should I disconnect the lower control arm and slowly lower it?

Any ideas?

Thanks.