Springs clamps do work for some cars (I remember an old 50s hot rod coming into the shop I worked at with spring clamps on) but I don't they would ever work on my CRX. The coils are narrow in diameter and very close together. I was lucky enough to pick up a set of tokico illuminas and springs for 100 shipped way back when, though I would like to get some better springs and set the alignment properly one of these days.
