Done more on car valve spring R&Rs than I care to recall. Did it with clothes line rope several times before I had an air compressor.

I've used the universal KD tool, which is brutal on the hands with stiffer springs (wear a glove). Won't work with B-hives IIRC. Can be very difficult with doubles since it doesn't compress the inner coil.



Have one of these now. Working clearance can be a little tight around the booster/MC, as well as around the Kick Down linkage. No show stoppers. A little challenging on the small beehive retainers too. Much quicker than the KD tool. Works good off the car too if you just bolt the head to the work bench.



You can also put a cheater pipe on the lever tool and then tuck it under your arm to free up a hand while you're fumbling with the keepers.