I just removed mine last month. The first side I tried all different kinds of spring compressors and none would fit. I tried letting it down with tow straps and jacks very slowly but when the A arm was all the way down it still wouldn't come out. I ended up using a pry bar. Looking at the service manual, Firebirds used a special tool (which I am certain doesn't exist anymore) that lowered the entire lower A arm straight down. The next side I just put a safety cable through the middle of the coil and secured it back to the sub frame (some what loose, just to keep it from ending up on the neighbors roof), took the lower ball joint nut completely off, got my pickle fork and wacked it a couple times on the lower ball joint and let it fly. POP! It came right out with no violence at all. I think allowing a little bit of controlled violence made it unseat. Now, trying to get it back in will be a different story.