Mission accomplished. I replaced the cracked strut mount withount removing the entire strut and without a coil compressor. The key is to keep the lower arm supported so the spring does not fly off (I also tied up the coil spring with several heavy duty straps as insurance). Once the 3 mount nuts and center piston nut is removed I got a helper to compress the strut by pushing in the piston shaft with a screw driver. At the count of three he released the screw driver and before the strut could expand i slipped off the mount. Same drill for putting in the new mount.

Per hughet I allowed the floor jack to come down about an inch which i needed for extra cleareance, but not so much as too allow the spring to fly off.

For the record i do not recommend anyone else doing this. the risk of injury is too great. I must confess that i was nervous doing it but i was very deliberate and thought through every action before proceeding.

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1972 450SL
1982 300D Turbo