I would suggest getting a strut spring compressor set from Harbor Freight. Yes they are cheap tools but for the number of times you'll use them, worth the money saved going to a shop, or the dealer. Having access to a impact gun and an air compressor, makes things a bit easier also.

 

Yeah, I've got all those tools. I needed them for the fronts. The Harbor Freight spring compressor just barely fits under the upper control arm, but it works. The impact wrench makes it tolerable. I wouldn't want to try that with a ratchet. I tried using a clamshell type compressor on the front springs but just couldn't get it to work.
Since the rears don't have the upper arm in the way, compressing the spring ought to be the easy part, but I see that they sell a quick strut for the rears so it really isn't necessary to bother with compressing the spring if you don't want to.
Did you use a ball joint press for the bushings or did you have access to a hydraulic press?

 

Not sure about previous models, but for the '01, access is NOT through the trunk. I just got finished dealing with the left rear on my '01 convertible and you gain access to the upper shock mount through the convertible top storage well. You must detach the lower part of the headlining by removing one screw just below the window and separating the velcro at the bottom. Then you can pull the liner forward to reveal another screw and then you can pull the bottom of the well toward the center of the vehicle and reveal the upper mounts. You remove two nuts from the upper mount (NOT the center one), then jack up the car and remove the lower mounting bolt. That's another hassle. Because of the length of that bolt, I had to disconnect the lower rear control arm and move it out of the way.

To actually get the bolt out, you need to press down on the suspension slightly to unload the bolt. Likewise, you need to do the same when re-installing the bolt. I found the best way to do this was to line the holes up as closely as possible and stick a screwdriver between the bottom of the shock and the part of the knuckle it bolts to for the last bit of alignment.

I bought a quick strut by Monroe which has the upper mount and spring included. It comes with instructions but you'll need to know the above information.

 

Did the right side today and it's a lot faster when you don't waste time trying to go through the trunk looking for the shock mount. Lining up the bottom bolt is also a lot easier if you use the trick of getting a screwdriver in between the bottom of the shock and the knuckle. With the new springs/struts in the back, it rides noticeably higher, maybe a half inch or so. Can't say the ride is much better, though.

 

Just traded in a 04 Sebring Sedan... rode this way since day 1.

 

dcotter0579,
I wondered why the panel I was pushing against moved so easy, just not thinking, and not wanting to tear the car apart more than it needs. That would be where the top stores in the down position. Two nuts on the top, two bolts on the bottom. Really didn't have a problem though, used my air ratchet. I used the same spring compressor on the front and rear, top plate on the front was in the way, just put the compressor on with the drive nut on toward the bottom of the strut. I hope this makes sense. I tried to compress the spring with the strut as it sits,( if mounted in the car), and there was no room to get the impact gun in, so i trurned the assembly upside down, mounted the compressor, much easier. I have a 8 ton press, (once again harbor frieght weekend parking lot sale, wish I could afford a higher quality tool, but for as of then as I use it), so it wasn't too dificult to press the old ball joints out and the new in. I used an air hammer to bust out the old bushings, and of course the press to install.
Its been a couple of weeks, and the dip in the front right side, when I hit a dip on the freeway,( it bounces hard down, comes up, then down again, evens out), has come back, a little more controllable, but it's back. I didn't change the sway bar bushings, in hind sight, kicking myself, had it all apart, just not thinking. I'll stop by the local speed shop and get some polyurethane for a 80's camaro. Other than that, I don't know what else to do. Maybe I'll post a video on youtube and post a link. Really hard to describe, and scratching my head on this one. A bad strut???