What do i need to change my rear struts?

What do you need to change the front struts on a 1992 Mercury Cougar how hard is it?

• Answer:

  I'm in the process of changing the front struts on my 91 cougar. I had to rent a "compression tool" (basically 2 clamps for the spring around the strut). It cost about $40 from Auto Zone. I'm still having problems getting the strut out reagardless of how much I compress the spring. I'm thinking I may just have to remove the control arm to take the strut from the bottom. I can't think of any other way around it. If I could remove the top piece that sticks up through the top of the tire wall then it would just slide right out. The problem with that is when I turn the bolt the whole strut turns. It's still a work in progress.