Apparently this can be removed as an assembly so it seems to me my strut compressors should make this happen, once on the floor.

Originally I thought the weight pf the car being held by the shock mounting bolt and the shock?

Chime in if this won't work or any other pitfalls?

I am having trouble creating the proper angle of the shock and spring in relation to the top housing, the rt. side is still assembled for reference! The rubber shim were marked and spring ends are contacting both spring and shim notch.

I have a come-along pulling the lower control arms down.

I will likely give it a few more resets.

Very fortunate to have the right side still assembled so I took several photos at many angles, marked the housing in relation to the rubber shim. Did all I could to duplicate the right strut.

The come-along gave me just enough clearance to start the shock bolt, also the aluminum housing was loose with bolts started. Released the tension tightened all 3 bolts.

Buoyed by my success I installed a new shock on the right and installation was almost too easy.

Yes, remove as an assembly and use compressors. Only difficulty I had was juggling the weight of the assembly while lining it up when putting it back in. But I have the muscle mass of a 73 year old.

Thanks Phillip, I removed both of them today despite loads of oxidation and seizure to the shock mounting! I do understand about muscle mass (sarcopenia) at 79! :-)

Found on the net will study in AM
https://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showthread.php?17428-Rear-Strut-Installation-at-100k-miles