I found a small scissor jack with a piece of wood to securely locate under lower kingpin nut provided a quick and safe means of removing compression in springs. Once stub axle was resting on lower cross tube, very little residual compression in main spring, on my Roadster at least. I did have an old blanket over it just in case, but a gentle tug had it unseated.
Rebuilding suspension though I used studs to compress springs back into place in a more controlled manner.
