Maybe thats it then. I didnt think the rear dampers/shocks would affect it as i've always heard its all about the springs but I couldnt get the brake pipe hose out of the rear shocks as it was all too crusty. The rear still has the old struts on so maybe I'm looking at it the wrong way and need to raise the back with them?

Yeah I remember that front pinch bolt well... The battle I had getting the new struts in low enough to get it through!

I'm with you on dropping the strut. I just thought If I jacked it up and undid the top nut to give me access to the lower one (above the plate that the spring sits in). I might be able to compress the spring a bit more.

below number 3