I have to replace the right front strut bushing and have found some info on autozone website on how to do it. To do this I have to remove the coil spring. The instructions do not say to compress the spring so I guess I don't have to.

Has anyone done this befre or removed the spring????

Here are the instructions I found.

1. Raise the vehicle and install jackstands under the frame. Position a jack beneath the spring under the axle. Raise the jack and compress the spring.
   
2. Remove the nut retaining the shock absorber to the radius arm. Slide the shock out from the stud.
   
3. Remove the nut that retains the spring to the axle and radius arm. Remove the retainer.
   
4. Slowly lower the axle until all spring tension is released and adequate clearance exists to remove the spring from its mounting.
   
5. Remove the spring by rotating the upper coil out of the tabs in the upper spring seat. Remove the spacer and the seat.
   

SO the question is; Do I have to use a spring compressing tool to do this????

 

No you shouldn't need a spring compressor. Once the shock is unbolted from the control arm, the axle should be able to drop down far enough to unseat the upper end of the spring. How ever, I have seen some springs held in place up near the top where they seat into the spring tower. They're held in with a clip that's bolted to the spring tower. Remove the bolt and clip and the spring should come out. The bottom end of the spring is bolted to the axle, but you can leave it in place while you replace the radius arm bushings. If you have a front sway bar you'll need to disconnect it from the axle as well so you can move the axle and radius arm easier to get the bushings changed. Even though the instructions didn't say to, it makes more room if you remove the wheel. Also be careful of the brake line when you lower the axle, so it won't get stretched or broken. And like they said, use the jack stands and block both sides of the tires that will stay on the ground so it won't want to roll away. Sometimes dealing with rusty parts that break during removal is a bigger issue than doing the main part of the job.

 

Thanks for the tip, it worked like a charm!