Originally posted by Oo.et.oO:

i've read that it may help to loosen up the strut bearing nut at the top of the strut. any comments?




It will, since to pop the joint out you'll have to swing the strut sideways. Much easier if the top bolt is loosened a bit.

Originally posted by Oo.et.oO:

do i need one of those ball joint fork removal thingies? my feeling is that it won't get all the way in there or will damage the ball joint boot.




I found it very useful, although it can be done without it. True, you do have to be careful not to damage the boot.

I've upgraded my Zetec struts & springs to SVT ones. I could remove the Zetec stuff without a spring compressor, but I had no chance against the SVT ones.
Autozone compressors are too bulky to fit into the wheel well, I bought a set from advance auto (it was below $20) they worked like a charm.

Tiv