Is it necessary to compress the spring to remove the entire strut assembly or only if your going to disassemble the assembly to replace the strut?

 

What are you working on? Most have 2-3 nut/bolts on the top of the strut tower, remove them along with the bolts that connect it to the knuckle and anything else that might be attached to the strut (wires, hoses). Just don't mess with the center nut until you have the spring compressed. Some however such as some Saabs, GM A bodies (Ion, Colbalt, G5) have only a center nut on top of a center nut.

 

I'm working on a Mercury Milan. Apparently the jounce bumper can cause a squeaking sound that can be fixed by applying some grease to the top and bottom of it.

 

I;m not sure, but I'ld rather you be safe than sorry. I don't want to loose any of my budies to a flying spring. Is that your piture, or Red Forman from the 70's show? It looks like Red.

 

what car?

unless you are taking the spring off the strut, you dont compress anything - all compression is removed for your purpose by jacking it up.

usually 2 bolts at the base into the knuckle, and 3 bolts at the upper strut tower bushing.

 

what quaddriver said. once you get the strut out of the vehicle, use a good set of spring compressors to compress the spring before you remove the nut on the end of the strut..