I'll pass along some of my experience for changing the front struts. The first thing you will need is some specialty tools that you may not already have. I own basic hand tools and some specialty trim tools but not much else. Fortunately, I'm able to borrow mostly anything which saves a few bucks.



A) A REALLY big hammer
B) A pair of heavy duty spring compressors
C) W-body strut kit (more on this later)
D) A very big 1/2" breaker bar
E) 6 point impact sockets 15/16" and 13/16"
F) Adult beverages. Quanity and type will vary
G) Pain relivers

The most difficult part of the whole ordeal was not removing the strut-to-knuckle nuts, it was the bolts. I consider myself a pretty strong dude and it took quite a bit of effort to break the nuts loose. The bolts however, were a different story. Here'* a tip: if the bolts don't turn, they can not be hammered out. I broke two of my own sockets trying to turn the bolts before I borrowed the impact sockets. They did the trick. Once you can turn the bolts a bit, use penetrating oil and tap them with a hammer. After about 5 minutes, beat the snot out of them with the big hammer to remove.



Here is that W body strut kit in action. I only needed to use two pieces of the kit. The first is a special gizmo kinda like a box end crow foot socket. The 1/2" ratchet is connedted to it. It'* hollow in the middle which allows a Torx 50 socket (connected to the 3/8" ratchet) to connect to the strut rod. This enables the strut rod to be held while loosening the top nut. The kit comes from Autozone and is a part of their loaner tool program.
NOTE: The above picture is for illustration purposes. These tools are NOT USED until the strut is removed from the vehicle and the spring is securely held with the spring compressors.

I think I now need to get some more F & G.

You need to add two things to that list:
penetrating lube(WD-40, liquid wrench,etc)
and a torch to heat up some of the more stubborn bolts.
I've never come across a spring/strut job that went smoothly.

Try PB Blaster for stuck/rusted bolts, it is the best there is.

Jay

That kit woulda been nice when doing my car... However, we weren't swapping struts.

If you can't get a hold of that kit, and your struts are not keyed (stanchtion spins freely) you can put a strap wrench on the stanction while you turn above. Yes you'll need two people.