Need a little experienced advice.

Bought a 1984 230C about six months ago. I'm a back yard mechanic so have some tools but not many specialized ones.

Got a very good deal on the car because the load leveling system was toast.

Bought some conventional springs and shocks off E-bay for $50 from a wrecked 240D.

The removal and instalation sounds simple enough if you have the right "Klann" type spring compressor.
Unfortunately there isn't one of that type to be rented/borrowed in our small town.
So I borrowed the generic hook type compressor and gave it a try.
As fate would have it, I can't get that spring out with that tool,... even after I got the spring out of the trailing arm hole on the first purchase, and then re-set the tool to compress it better on a second purchase.
I need 2-3 inches more space to get it out past the axel, and the ones that go in are 3 inches longer than the ones coming out I would guess.

I read with much laughter about some other spring instalations in the archives, and have the common sense not to overload the tool because of the dangerous amount of potential energy you are putting into it.

So my question is under these circumstances,....ie this is the best tool I've got and I'm not going to buy one at $700 which is nearly what I paid for the whole car,.. would it be best to undo the trailing arm pivots so I can let the arm drop past the stops and give me enough room to RE/RE the springs???
That would appear to be the simplest way to let the arm drop more, how ever I'm wondering if this would cause any problems with the C/V axels???
I should be able to drop the arm some more without straining the joints I would think.

Would appreciate advice from those that don't have all the MB tools but aren't afraid to tackle these projects taking it for granted that its going to take longer and might be pretty frustrating, at least the first time.
I don't give up on the first try,...but then again there's some times I should, but thats what life is all about,...gaining experience and better judgement.

Trev