better be pretty darn strong string for a stock front shock...


but, it is better to just put some M A N into it and undo top nut and remove the spacers and bushing. Then, compress shock by applying steady pressure untill it does...when it moves far enough slip it out of the shock mount. Then undo bottom nut and remove bolt.
When you install replacement install bottom of shock by pushing shock into the lower mount and install bolt and tighten nut enough to where you still can move shock around. Then compress shock enough to slip it into the shock mount and put spacers, bushing, and nut back on...tighten. Bam...that easy!!!