Take a floor jack , hook one end to the axle of the jack and the other end on the part that raises the car. After you have it spread out add paint sticks in between the coils until it is long enough. Then lower the floor jack and reinstall in car, pull paint sticks and you are done.
I have a tool I bought from national chevy assc. It is a 1/4 plate box that you stretch the spring over and it makes removal and install a breeze. I can get measurements off the tool tomorrow you could probably make one. Or check their website they may have a pic.
The Jalopy Journal
