astra estate?

you should be able to use spring compressors, most people make them with threaded bar. (or they are quite cheap) see if you can compress the spring whilst the shock is under the weight of the car if not you should be able to jack it up then compress the spring as far as it will safely go . this should give enough room to disconnect the shock at the axle and the arch then you can lift it out then remove the spring from the shock. its advisable to replace the seals in the shocks whilst they are off and their quite cheap and it kills 2 birds so to speak.

martin
May 2009