Hickory

BOBj3 i cannot tell which freud router you have. The new model FT2200 is better than the older model,for one reason. Freud realised the shaft was to short and added more length to the newer model.

I have both the old model and the new model. many times I could not get enough router bit height with the older model.. The new model works great.

Now about the springs.. I assume you must have the new model to be able to take bits out without lifting the router out of the table.

I would still find this more difficult with the springs in.. You are still fighting the spring pressure.
I take the router out of the table to change bits and i am able to Spin the black adjusting up to where i need it. Spinning is easier than turning a 1/2 turn at a time with the springs in.

When i need to raise the router up " alot in the table..I do something that may be consider dangerous, but i make sure there is no power going to the router.

I will grab the bit and put the router up, and reach under and spin the black knob up. This works very quickly with no springs.Once the micro knob is up..I make the final adjustment that is needed/

But whatever you get used to doing you will probably stick too.

One more thing i have found especially using large bits.. I depended on the micro knob to hold the router in place after i adjusted the height

Now i adjust it and use the plunge lock.. I had a large bit move slighly..probably should have been doing this before.

Hickory