I have some KYB struts coming in today and I'm going to do the install. Oreilly's and Autozone both use the hook/plate type spring compressors and those are not my favorite. The last time I used one, it slid and I hated it. Has anyone replaced the struts using a jack to compress the spring and loosen the top nut with the strut still on the car?

 

Do they even make jacks with that range of motion? With the car elevated enough to remove the tire, that's a big gap.... I would feel much safer using a spring compressor, just saying... The only other spring compressor I've seen is this one:

Single Action Strut Spring Compressor

I haven't used it personally, so I can't really speak for it.

 

The method I was describing worked for getting the top nut off, but did not work to compress the spring on the new strut. The end result is I had to get a compressor to assemble the strut anyway. If I had the style in your link the process would have been much smoother than it was. I used the one below and it slid all over the place.

 

Yeah, I know what you mean, trying to get both sides to clamp down evenly without sliding can be challenging. At least you got it worked out!