[jato]

I leave the top of the strut bolted to the strut tower and use a 5 foot pry bar to flex the lower control arm down enough to let the end of the strut to clear the knuckle. A railroad lining bar works great for this.

 

[jato]

Similar, but I operate the bar myself while I pull the strut clear. I don't have access to a 300 pound fat guy. It just the way I've always done it and I haven't had any adverse effects from it so far, so I'll keep on doing what I'm doing. I also have to do my auto maintenance under less than ideal conditions. Gotta do what you gotta do.

What also works is to remove the brakes, unbolt the axle shaft, disconnect the sway bar end link, pop out the ball joint and tie rod end and remove the steering knuckle and strut as an assembly.