On one occasion I watched mechanics struggle like hell to get the front strut/spring units out of my car (even after they'd compressed the springs). Then a few months later I fitted new front struts myself - having invested in a set of spring compressors - and I simply undid the top A arms and pulled them completely out. The strut/spring unit then virtually fell out onto the floor. I was fortunate that the top balljoint fitting on the A arm came ondone (tapered spiggot) without too much drama - that's where I can imagine dramas could be had.