how can i remove the front suspension bushes on a 96' renault 19 diesel?

i have just acquired a renault 19 diesel (M reg 5 door, 1.9), and theres a knocking/banging from the passenger side suspension when i go over bumps, leading me to believe that bushes have gone on the lower arm, or the balljoint has gone.
i have looked in the workshop manual to see how to do it but i thought i would have to remove the spring/damper or at least tension it up? surely when i remove the lower arm or undo it the spring will ping and push the lower arm down, leaving me with a broken wrist and no way to refit the spring? am i wrong, how much are the bushes and how easy is it?