You should not have to compress a stock rear spring to remove it. Have you disconnected the sway bar? That should allow the trailing arm to drop down a bit more. Ultimately, it is the axles (half shafts) that prevent the trailing arm from dropping down. You may have to remove one end of each axle to get the clearance you need.
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Chris B.
'73 ex-Malaga

Per the manual (very useful to have in this situation) you will need to disconnect the sway bar and half shaft to allow the trailing arm to drop far enough.
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Les
'74 '02 - Jade Touring (RHD)
'76 '02 - Delk's "Da Beater"
'76 '02 - Dark Met Blue (running project)
'76 '02 - Sienna (comatose project)
'76 '02 - Sahara (parts car)
'98 323i Conv - Black

I think it's easier to compress the spring with a hacked tool or a proper compressor.
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68' 2002 DD

thanks all, I did forget about the sway bar. but if I have to remove the sway bar and the half shaft, I think I agree with Arshloch that a spring compressor is easier in the long run.
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Bob
BMWCCA #4844

1974 2002 Sahara, MM 2400 Rally engine, MM 5 speed and conversion
1976 2002A Anthracite parts car
1991 525i Alpine
2002 330ci Alpine
2007 530xiT Titanium Silver

try removing the front springs without a compressor. that's a lot of fun. and I'm never doing it again.
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'75 2002

You don't have to remove the sway bar, just the end link on one side. Takes a couple of minutes.
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Chris B.
'73 ex-Malaga

I just did the same thing on my 74 this past weekend...If you use the spring compressor, you will not have to remove the half shaft or the sway bar end link.

You might have to use both hand to twist ot the spring, but it will come out rather easy at that point.

Good luck.

BTW I am in Lodi just down the road from you. We may have to meet up in Bethel Island sometime.

Mike
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74-02...Polaris/Navy Sweet car

But on the other hand,
there's not a lot of room to get a compressor in there,
and unhooking the link and halfshaft takes a whopping 10 minutes...

t
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I have a car disease. There is no cure.
I'm not even managing the symptoms very well...

Yeah, or after you disconnect the swaybar, use a 2x4 or other lever between the body and the control arm and push it down an inch or two. The spring will fall out. Really.
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Chris B.
'73 ex-Malaga

ok guys, thanks for all the great feedback, I'll try removing the end link tomorrow and see where I end up. I'll report back in at that time.
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Bob
BMWCCA #4844

1974 2002 Sahara, MM 2400 Rally engine, MM 5 speed and conversion
1976 2002A Anthracite parts car
1991 525i Alpine
2002 330ci Alpine
2007 530xiT Titanium Silver

spring literally fell out; on my '73, also stock spring, I had to use a compressor to remove, but the new H&R springs popped right in.

mike
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'69 Nevada sunroof--"Wolfgang"--bought new
'73 Sahara sunroof-- "Ludwig"--mine since '78
'87 eta E30 coupe--"Johannes"
+ Fiat Topolini (Benito & Luigi), Renault 4CVs (Anatole, Lucky Pierre, Brigette)...
and Kermit, the Bugeye Sprite

Well, removed the end link and the trailing arm didn't even drop. Started to crack the first bolt on the half shaft. When it didn't budge with my first heave, I thought about getting to the other 5 and doing it 5 more times, then lining it back up, retorguing all 6 bolts, and went to AutoZone and rented the spring compressor.

It surprised me how much I had to compress the old spring to get it out. Quite a bit it turns out. Surprised me also how much to compress to get the new spring in. But all springs are in and the car is on the road. Fronts were done by Wolfgang's previously.

Didn't get too many miles in but for now, fronts were lowered 1.5" and the backs only .75". Ground to bottom of wheel well fender lip is 22.75" front and back.
_________________
Bob
BMWCCA #4844

1974 2002 Sahara, MM 2400 Rally engine, MM 5 speed and conversion
1976 2002A Anthracite parts car
1991 525i Alpine
2002 330ci Alpine
2007 530xiT Titanium Silver