Must of been a whole lot of stuff. Removing the bracket is certainly the easiest way possible. Compressing the spring might yield enough clearance to get it out of there without removing it. As I recall the angle on one of the bolts was kind of weird and I couldn't get an impact wrench in there (for removal).

there was no compressing, as its a whole unit, but I think I just unbolted the top from the upper a arm, the sway bar end link, and anything else in the way (can't remember what else) but I was easily able to just pull the bottom down by hand and lift it out after the top was unbolted. It was fairly simple

OK so can the 19mm bolt be removed without using a wrench on the other side?

You should be able to loosen it without a wrench. But for some people it will spin if you don't have a wrench. You still haven't taken the strut out huh.

Nope I just got the tools and will try in a few days. I'm worried about the stripped bolt but I may just try without removing the bracket

you can get it out following the service manual.... do you guys not look over it for torque specs?

The service manual doesn't tell you that the bolt spins. But it does in my diy.

OK I got it. What a biatch. I tell you what I think I'd rather pay the $425 to Nissan to do this! (but I need the $ for more mods!!!) But now I know what it entails and next time it will be easier! I was able to remove the 14mm bolt that was stripped, with a 6 point socket!

Point #1 to make note:

Get a 6 point socket set!!!

Point #2, do remove the bracket with three 14mm bolts! Much easier to remove strut; but I can see how you CAN remove it without but I was not able to.

Point #3, remove the sway bar bolt.

It goes much easier this way!

Glad your DIY is now COMPLETED...onto the next one!

Having trouble removing the 19 mm nut
 

When trying to remove the 19mm nut I struggled for a couple of hours trying to get it to loosen up. I used a deep socket 6 sided and it would not budge, did anyone else have trouble with this? Is there some kind of trick? I could get every other bolt or nut to release except the 19mm. Help please

Yes it was very hard to remove, I had to get a long breaker bar and pretty much use my feet and put my body weight on it to break them loose.

But be careful as you may strip that nut. That's what I did and had to order two new ones! Make sure and soak it with PB Blaster for a few hours...

Another question
 

So the nut on the other side of the strut, is it also a 19mm or is it a differnt size? I saw some discussion before about this potentially spinning. I would think as long as you can keep it from spinning, get the front nut off and the bracket with the three 14 mm the strut should come right out. Am I thinking correctly?

Yes. Get the 19mm off first and the other 3 will be easy. I don't remember the size of the bolt head on the other side, could have been 19mm. I used an impact wrench to get this one and had no trouble with it spinning. If doing it by hand you might need to lock the other side in place with a box wrench or something. Other than that you just need to remove the 3 nuts at the top of the shock tower, which if you remove the strut tower brace will be very easy to get to.

ChrisSlicks
 

How long did you have to fight with the 19mm? I have been hitting it for a while, the edges of the nut are starting to deform. I am using a six sided deep socket, so I not real concerned about stripping it out, but it seems like there must be a trick to it. That damn thing will not budge. I have tried the previous idea of putting PBS blaster on it. Still no movement. Any other suggestions?

Is it spinning? Are you using a breaker bar with some length? Try not to use an extension also. Are you turning it the right way? LOL