Strut spring question

[Babaloo]

I just removed my strut assembly on my 98 Sentra. When I attached the spring compressor to the spring, I left the top and bottom coil free. After I removed the piston rod nut off, I took the spring off the strut and the top and bottom coil (no compression) was in the same position as the piston rod nut was on.
My question is shouldn't the coil be lossen up without a compressor?

 

[Fuelrod]

By compressing the spring in the middle, you removed all the load from the free coils...The nut no longer held any spring tension...

 

[srivett]

There are some rear shocks like on my VW that do not need compressors. Unless you are told by a mechanic or a manual that they are not necessary I think you should keep using them.

Steve

 

[brianl703]

Also some struts like on my 1988 Mustang do not need a spring compressor, it's a "Modified McPherson" setup.