Front shock removal

[Chuck Pierce]

Now that I have my strut tower bar built and have done the Igor Kissel 
mod to my tower mounting plates.
I am finally rebuilding the complete front end. ( sub-frame bushings, 
lower control arms, tie rod ends, sway bar bushings, strut bearings, 
strut boots, new CV boots, 3 out 4 are bad and shocks).
My car has had a real problem with excessive neg. camber on the 
passenger side.
This car has had a hard life, all the bushings I chose to replace were 
over due for replacement.
So far so good, but I do not have the "tool" for removing the shocks 
from the struts. I tried to gently use a pipe wrench to get the cap to 
turn, no success.
The plastic piece that is I guess for locating the strut boot prevents 
really getting on the cap with the pipe wrench.
Should I care or should I just destroy it and get after the cap with a 
bigger wrench?

Chuck Pierce
91 200tq Avant