Yes, you are correct. The strut needs to be removed or at least lowered from the car and angled WAY out to the side to get at this. Then you need a spring compressor (Macpherson strut type that goes on the outside of springs) to squeeze everything enough to take the big nut off the end without everything flying away. I just bought a set of K-D Tools spring compressors, and even with a discount they were $72.
The strut itself can be leaned out quite far once the tie rod is disconnected and you do something with the brake lines. I hate to take apart brake lines and 240s are notorious for difficult bleeding problems, so I removed the bracket on the inside of the frame rail (12 mm hex) and pulled the brake lines out with the strut. I would not call this a fun job you want to do at home.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 86 244DL, 87 244DL, 88 744GLE, 91 244: 805K total