On a 4wd Sidekick w/ABS (98 JLX) it APPEARS that I can swap the upper strut bearings (actually, it looks like I can swap out the whole front strut) w/o compressing the springs with a spring compressor.  Again, it LOOKS like I can just put the front up on stands and then raise & lower the lower control arm with a jack to hold it in the right place. Am I all wet on this?  Unlike the many other AMC struts I've done where the strut is inside the spring, on the this JLX the strut is outboard of the spring, so you don't have to  touch the spring perch. What I worry about is if without the upper bearing connection, which the front end obviously pivots on, would there not be enough holding the spring in place.  It's just a PITA using those POS spring compressors. Anyone know for sure?  ( I'm thinking of doing this, as I think the bearings may be the source of a rubbing/bindingish feel I get when I steer at low speeds just off straight ahead.)

the strut and coil are totally seperate. you can put jack stands under the control arms, take the wheel off and unbolt the strut and remove it. simple as that.

Also there is no upper strut bearing. The only reason for a strut bearing is when all the load is on the strut (when the coil is built into it) on a kick there is a rubber bushing and thats it.

It's harder to get the top strut nut loose
than it is to replace the strut.

The pivot is in the strut, so you may want
to look elsewhere for your noise before you
spend $$ on struts

Wild

 :POf course!!! DOH!!  What an idiot!  :-[When I put my hand on the strut and have my son turn the wheel, I can feel the noise, but it didn't appear to be coming from the upper bearing, which, as you so correctly state, doesn't exist!!! That also explains why I can't find the replacement procedure in my Mitchel CD repair manual.  Like I said, not like any mac strut I've ever worked on.  SO the bearing is in the strut....I've gotta see what's what now..replacement struts are fairly cheap, like $75 each, but that probably doesn't include any bearing struff.....hhmmm

The struts are sealed, everything you need
will be in the boxs, no bearings to replace