I was wondering if anyone has removed the front a arms without renting a tool to compress the spring?I was thinking of putting a jack under the lower arm,then removing the 2 bolts from the frame.Then lower the jack and should just pop out in theory

might be tough to get the bolts out without the weight of the engine. should be easier to separate the lower b/joint, let them out that way. you'll need to remove the backing plates to lower the control arm after separating the b/joint.

I removed the springs on both my 66 and 69 without a spring compressor. But it was not fun. Definitely had the engine in. hmmm, now I guess that was about 20 years ago, I wouldn't try it these days though. Removed the shock, put my hydraulic jack under the lower control arm, had the front end on jack stands. Loosened the lower control arm ball joint bolt, then from the front of the car, pulled the jack away from the lower control arm, and nothing, the bottom of the spring held onto the spring perch and the shock mounting nut. So, found a long pipe and tried to bounce the lower control arm down far enough so the spring would fall. (still under a small amount compression). Ended up placing the bar behind the spring as I pushed the lower control arm down with my foot, it fell out. Again, I wouldn't try it today with out a spring compressor. I even replaced the spring with out a compressor. Took the lower control arm off the frame, bolted up the ball joint, slipped the spring in, then forced the jack under the control arm. Lowered the car a little at a time had to keep lining up the lower control arm. Took a long time to get it lined up so I could put the frame bolt in. But I was so happy when it was done. Looking back on it now, it was kind of stupid. I've had mechanics tell me I was very lucky I wasn't injured. But I didn't think it was that bad to do. Good luck

NOT A SAFE METHOD but in the good 'ol days I pulled and installed them by dropping the lower b'joints but w/ a few muffler clamps holding the springs compressed, then torched the clamps off. Todays chinese muffler clamps would be even more dangerous!.

I was trying to get away CHEAP.I broke my  tool to seperate the spindles from the A arms.That's all I have left,before I take it to the scrap yard.
I had told my wife it would be gone by July 1st OOPS.I guess I'll be renting a tool

I took the the front A arms off without a spring compressor.I ran to Canadian Tire to rent one.....they sent me to Lordco...they wanted me to buy one for $90.So I went home and undid the bottom spindle bolt till it was just about off.Then seperated the bottom joint and put my floor jack under the A arm.Slowly took the nut off and then lowered the jack.Used my long pry bar at the bottom of the spring and it popped out like butter.
The only dangerous part was wrenching on the nut and wondering which turn it would pop off.

normally we loop a chain through the chain so it won't pop out at us.

I just use a length of threaded rod up were the shock goes with washers on each end and nuts and snug up. When the ball joint is loose just back of nuts until lower A arm is slack and remove spring. 

you most likely know this,, but ALWAYS put a jack under the A- arm and load the spring before you undo the that nut. seeing how you used a pickle fork anyways, the spindle can freely move up when you drive the pickle fork in and split the spindle and joint. don't trust your fingers and eyes to 3 threads on a rusty bolt . an extra safety is to loop a chain through the spring and a- arm. sorry , but I've seen springs fly ...not cool !! my 2 cents!

Man you guy would hate to see how we get them out in a hurry when we are striping our parts cars! If i dont need to same the frame I just let the control arm hang still attached to the upper and the knuck and cut the mounts of the frame and let the spring go twang.the lower control arm holds in the spring and then I undo the top control arm from the fram mounts!