I wondered the same thing about my 944 and being a what the hell give it a try guy launched into trying to replace without removing the wheel spring etc. . It can be done, take off the wheel, compress the spring, release the top nuts, step down on the lower arm and if by pure chance the strut swings out, clears the fender lip and the spring compressors hold and you can get the new part on back under the lip and lined up into the upper holes while stepping down on the arm, you got it done. It was actually quicker to follow the procedure in the manual and safer. A bit of work, patience is the best tool and it is pretty cool when you are done and it works. If you can pay yourself $75 to $90 an hour for your own work you really come out ahead. Just follow the procedure, be patient and you can do it.