URGENT:HELP:'88 90q front shocks repair

[Andrei Kogan <abk@phy.duke.edu>]

Dear friends,
I need your advice urgently . I am half way into replacing the front shocks
on our 90q. As you all know, the strut assembly comes apart so the wheel
bearing housing can be separated from the shock tower/spring assembly. I
was hoping to get it out of the car without having to mess with the axle
shaft and the abs sensor, but it doesn't look like it's gonna come out ---
not enough room. Has anyone done the shocks on this car without
disconnecting  the whole strut from the ball joint? If so, what am i doing
wrong?

Please reply directly to abk@phy.duke.edu

Many thanks,
Andrei