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3. Once it's all the way out, you can now begin to swap all of the neccesary hardware over to the new strut.

****IMPORTANT TIP****
Here's a little tip (a lot of people may know this already) that will save you a lot of time with the spring compressors.

Right after you've jacked the car up, placed jack-stands under the car, and removed the wheels of the car:

1. Take your floor jack and place it underneeth the front control arm (there's an area where the jack can sit firmly) and jack up the front suspension.
2. Once the springs get fully compressed (and the car begins to lift off the jack stands slightly), take your spring compressors and place them into the springs and tighten them snugly.
3. Make sure that they are prefectly spaced so that they do not slip off. Once they are firmly seated, you can lower your floor jack and now PRESTO your springs are instantly compressed.

By doing this method, you end up saving A LOT of time because you don't have to wrench those stupid compressor bolts for 30 minutes to get the springs compressed. In essence, your letting the floor jack do the heavy work for you.

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Reverse the order for install.



DISCLAIMER:
I'm not responsible for damage or loss of life from this DIY. Do at your own risk.

Question about this, if one wants to replace the shock/springs all together ... to make it easier to get the shock out of the bottom. Could you not leave the top of the spring bolted up and press the hub down to release the shock from the carrier? Once that is free loosen the nuts on top and remove the shock? Or is that not recommended?

yes that is an option, thats how i do it and find it much easier, a flathead screwdriver tip for a socet wrench works great for spreading the pinch where the bolt holds the bottom of the strut in. just spread it a little and a little light tapping and it will slide down right off of the strut, then remove the 3 nuts on the top of the strut and lower it out

This did not work for me, but it may for you. I tried it first but I did not force it. I figured you have to compress the springs anyhow, so why not go ahead and do it. Either way you do it, be sure and spray some good penetrating lube around the knuckle where the strut slips in. It helps wiggle it out.
Also, just to clear up some confusion, the easiest way to do the rear springs is to undo the outer bolt on the lower arm (bolt closest to hub) instead of the inner one as mentioned in some of the other diys. I found that if you place your jack under the arm and jack it up a bit, then remove the outer bolt and shock bolt, gradually lowering the jack will uncompress the spring, and then you can push the arm down and just pull the spring out. This will prevent the hassle of having to try and line the inner bolt back up that people had trouble with....

great tip thanx alot