I have had exactly the same problem.......I HATE dealing with coil springs. Every crank on the compressor feels like it will be the one when it breaks and the coil comes flying out.

When we did my Sons Capri we were installing Moroso front drag springs. I went to Advance Auto and rented their compressor because it was better than the one we had. We installed safety chains around the coil, just in case it came undone, and even at that we ended up ruining the compressor and had to buy it from them. Never did get the springs in........decided our lives were worth too much, so we bought a coil over front suspension setup and installed that.

I've replaced a couple in the past, but maybe I've gotten more cautious in my old age. Coil springs scare me to death.

Don