Can I use spring compressors (Car) in situ??

@jordan ....

I've literally been looking at that one today! Not a bad shout for 70 quid...

I'll need one IF I can get the shock out (to swap the springs)..

DrP

@DrP

It would be possible via lifting the hub - the issue being that once the bottom ball joint is split then theres nothing to constrain the strut which is now compressed and under load. It might need a few ratchet straps to hold it in place until the jack is lowered.

That's what I was worried about...

Easy to compress safely when it can only go up or down..

Once ball joint off, it's likely to roll the trolley jack away at about 90° at 60mph!

DrP

Yes of course you can and I regularly use them to do ball joints. I do have a modified pair where I cut down the threaded rod, because when fully wound down the rod would hit strut tops. So in other words access can be tricky with some vehicles, obviously some being worse than others.

Bare in mind separating some ball joints (especially when you don't want to damage the seal like with a pickle fork) can be PITA, when jacked up and without the standing height workshop levers! Also some are impossible to do without dropping the sub frame!

Never had a problem using my spring compressors. They are nice heavy forged ones with juicy threaded rods which will out last me!