Need E30 spring compressor help!

[beckley]

I'm 3/4 of the way through putting back together my e30, but I'm at a standstill. I am replacing the front shocks and springs, but I can't get the shock insert to go back up into the access hole at the top of the strut tower. (See attached photo.)

I think that the problem is that my spring compressors will only let me compress 4 of the spring coils, not 5. It seems to me if I could compress one more coil, then I'd have enough room on top of the strut/spring tower to maneuver the shock into place.

Has anyone done this job before with the "correct" spring compressors, i.e. ones that worked? If so, would there be anyway that I could borrow them? I'm located in Bethesda and can come to your house to pick them up. I'll leave a security deposit if you want.

Thanks much,
Jim