Safe spring removal? And how to check front end for wear?

So I'm replacing my front control arm bushings and I'm not really sure what's the best method to remove my stock springs. I can't seem to find a spring compressor that will fit them.

I've heard of chaining the springs to the crossmember and then just using a big prybar to wrestle them out. I've also heard of people putting a floor jack under the bushing side of the A-arm, removing the pivot bolts and then slowly lowering the jack down. Which of these methods do you guys suggest?

While everything is apart, how do I check my front wheel bearings? I found one rotor was a little bit loose when I took the caliper off. It seems okay if I tighten the bolt down slightly, so I don't know if those bearings are worn or if the bolt was just not torqued down enough.

What about the inner tie rods? I can feel maybe like 1 mm of play if I tug on them really hard, but it takes a fair amout of effort to feel it. Is that normal?

Good to hear, I was pretty much assuming all of what you said...

I bought a nice bumpsteer kit and all the poly bushings so hopefully the inner tie rods & rack are still decent. If I'm going to replace them I might as well get a manual rack, but that's $$$...

I do have some bumpsteer issues but I'm hoping that will be cured with the new parts and an alignment...

oops, meant to edit my previous post.

do I need to use high-temp "disc brake" grease on the wheel bearings? or will the all-purpose stuff that came with my grease gun be fine? I do tend to get on the brakes pretty hard sometimes...

Figured as much. I guess I'll have to do some hunting for the disc brake stuff in the small cartridges...