[tjswarbrick]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Thanks! The oval socket I got was too small, so we ended up using a pry bar which is really not ideal. But with two people we were able to gap it just barely so I could pull the shock out.
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Thanks!
Glad it wasn't just me. Same problem.
Unfortunately my assistant was a 10 year old girl who was already up past bedtime. 1 man pry bar attempts just made me mad. So I bolted it all back together and paid an arm and a leg to have a pro do it.

Sorry

I guess I'm still dwelling on it because if it was "simple" DIY I'd source some BMWP springs, swap 'em out in the garage, and try to recoup a little by selling the Swifts. But if I've gotta pay a shop, it costs just as much to swap front springs as to R&R the entire strut.
Rears should be fairly straightforward, at least.
But at this point I just don't have the courage to try again.