Use some 5/8" threaded rod, washers, grade 8 nuts, scrap steel plate and a short length of pipe. Back up the shock access hole end with steel plate and a washer. On top, thread a short length of pipe, washer and the nut. Crank down on the nut to compress the spring. Once the spring is compressed, remove both bolts through the lower control arm. Now slowly loosen the nut. The lower control arm will follow down easily and without any danger of getting loose. Be sure to use threaded rod long enough for the spring so you don't run out of range. Assembly is the reverse, with you hooking up the lower control arm as it comes into alignment. Lubricate the threaded rod with plenty of front end grease first.
These directions don't describe removing the connection to the lower ball joint since you had already done that. When you start from scratch:
raise the car and support it remove the wheel remove the shock thread the 5/8" rod, washers and nuts and capture the a-arm separate the ball joints, remove spindle loosen the lower control arm mounting bolts unthread the nut on the threaded rod until the lower a-arm bolts turn somewhat freely remove the lower control arm bolts unthread the nut the rest of the way, the lower control arm will ease down until the spring tension is relieved.
Assembly is the reverse.
At all times, keep in mind where forces are on the spring. Don't let it loose until all pressure is gone. Don't work with the car on jacks, use stands. Budweiser after the job is done ,not before.
