Did my springs this weekend and this thread was helpful.
Just for those that dont have a pass thru and arent willing to go get one in the middle of the project. You can use a set of vice grips to hold the shaft on the strut and use an impact to get the nut off. Quicker and easier this way, but you will marr the shaft. Try and keep it as high as possible.
Also I cannot stress enough to do the rear springs in the order it is written. Being a complete mindless idiot I took off the bolt on the control arm and THEN dropped the sway bar. The pressure came down when I was underneath it and I have nasty bruise to show for it.