Rear spring replacement question

[phoebeusfenix]

Hello everybody! I just ordered a set of H&R's for my s4 and I'm fairly competent with suspension work. The front look fairly straight forward.

I notice on the DIY's I've read that there are some conflicting reports on the rear spring replacement. Some people say to drop the subframe out, while others say it's just as easy to replace the spring with the shock still on the vehicle.

I've done some searching(and if I missed a DIY I apologize) but are there any photos our there or another DIY of the rear spring replacement without removing the shock? Or for those that have done the swap, which method would you recommend?

[Hofahome]

I put on the coilovers myself. I regret that decision by a longshot but it can be done, although it requires a second person at times.
I used the spring compressor and should have just dropped the rear subframe. The reason is there is a rock guard connected to the bottom of the spring perch that makes it difficult to get the springs out with the compressors attached.
The fronts were more difficult than I expected. On the LF I unbolted the the lower control arm and tie rod end as per the instructions, but they were a bitch to disconnect/reconnect. On the RF I got pissed and used a second jack and large piece of wood to lift up underneath the lower strut perch so that I would not have to disconnect these again. It worked amazingly well but I admit it was a bit ghetto.

[wwhan]

I changed the rear spring with a 4 ft pry bar on the lower control arm and removed the lower shock bolt. Two people would make it a lot easier.

Here is the ECS subframe method: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/650587-Coilover-install-DIY?p=10735541&viewfull=1#post10735541

[CloseEncounters]

I've found that a pair of motorcycle spring clamps work great in taking the pain out of the rear install if you can get your hands on a set.

[IanCH]

1) jack car all the way up (remove wheel)
2) attach spring compressors to springs (the kind you can buy at autozone)
3) lower the jack a bit with a jack stand or block under the control arm using the weight of the car to compress the spring
4)tighten spring compressor bolt with your fingers
5)jack car back up
6) pull spring out with hands. No prying necessary and its fairly easy.

your gonna want to put the spring compressor nut end at the top of the spring to make sure the bolt bars dont interfere with stuff.

[phoebeusfenix]

1) jack car all the way up (remove wheel)
2) attach spring compressors to springs (the kind you can buy at autozone)
3) lower the jack a bit with a jack stand or block under the control arm using the weight of the car to compress the spring
4)tighten spring compressor bolt with your fingers
5)jack car back up
6) pull spring out with hands. No prying necessary and its fairly easy.

your gonna want to put the spring compressor nut end at the top of the spring to make sure the bolt bars dont interfere with stuff.

Thank you for the responses everyone. I am going to have to just play it by ear when I get under there as the setup sounds different than I imagined. I've done engine swaps and plenty of other things on other make vehicles, but surprisingly have never changed suspension components.