06-09-15, 01:03 AM
I've done it before with ratchets but you need good quality ones that are at least 10mm wide. You need to do them two springs together and at 180 degrees then the two next and so on. When you've compressed three you'll have around a one and a half inch free play. Refitting once in position, cut one off at a time doing them in pairs on each spring. Its sounds hairy but it works. Oh and you need a good pair of pliers, better still a pair of mole grips so you don't skin your knuckles whilst trying to tighten the ties. Good luck. 
Never underestimate the ingenuity of an idiot!