You can lower the arm with a floor jack after removing the shock.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Cecil Eastman
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2008 9:12 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Replacing shocks: spring compressor?

As I prepare to replace the shocks for the first time (on any vehicle, for
me) I'm asking anyone who might know anything about it.  In so doing, I
spoke to my wife's cousin, a professional mechanic (not necessarily VW), who
said I would need spring compressors or else risk life and limb when the
shock comes loose and the spring goes boing.

Is this true?  I was referred to this site,
http://volksweb.relitech.com/frshocks.htm, by someone from the list and it
doesn't say anything about compressors.

Interested in keeping this body whole,
Cecil
'85 Westy
"Der BrotKasten"