An old thread but for anyone else reading this:
I just tried doing front coil springs on my 2003 Mountaineer. Don't even attempt it. Those springs are about the strongest I've ever come across. Even using 4 threaded bar type compressors I couldn't even compress it enough to put the cracked one back on. Only 1/2 of the very bottom coil was cracked so initial plan was just to rotate it and reassemble. Struts themselves, while rusty, were working perfect. The replacement MOOG coils I tried were even tighter plus they had 2 additional wraps over OEM which would also make it more difficult. Maybe a shop could do it but forget about DIY.
Replacing the rear coils a few years back weren't too bad but for the fronts just go with a quick-strut.
Side note: The 02-03 and 04-05 have different spring heights but overall dimensions and fitment are the same. So if replacing both just get whatever quick-strut is cheapest. I was fortunate, being the truck is so old now RA had Motorcraft on clearance for less than aftermarket. And the later version were even cheaper still which is what I ended up getting. Also broke my 1/2 breaker on the bottom bolt. Needed the 3/4 set w/ 24mm socket and a cheater bar to bust them loose. At least they weren't seized in the bushing which I hear is common.
