Thanks for the suggestions. I tried to compress the spring, but with the loaner tools from AutoZone, I can only get two coils next to each other. Squeezing those together nets absolutely nothing. I used my jack handle (~4 ft long) as a pry bar and can get the knuckle close. I saw the 1/4" or so of travel in the strut with the pinch bolt removed and am using that as best I can. I actually had the ball joint spindle resting against the angled section of the knuckle just before it slips into the hole, but I can't get the very small amount of extra room necessary. I think may need a helper for this job. I'm taking the day off tomorrow to finish it up, then I'm taking the car to someone else to do the driver side front strut. What an insane design!
