I have used a piece of bar stock with a slot cut in it and bent at an angle. Put a nut on the end of the stud, slide the "tool" underneath the nut, lever them springs right down. This was with stock springs and the thing was barely adequate because it would give just a little bit but if it was braced it would have been much better. If I had to do it again I would get the proper tool though.
[addsig]