Removing control arm from strut - 2000 ses

When I was putting new hub in R- frt wheel, the Haynes manuel said to remove strut from control arm and pull cv axel from hub...after removing the bolt holding arm to spindle, I found that with pulling the arm (with a puller tool) until it bottomed out, the strut/spindle bolt would not clear the arm....As it turned out, I was able to remove the hub bolts by simply tapping the axel out of the hub an inch or so ..and was able to get to that top hub bolt and remove the Hub ..problem solved...
but I know there will be a time I will need to remove the CV axel for replacement....What is the trick to get the strut retainer bolt to clear the control arm? All other cars I've worked on, the arm would drop after it was loosened from the srut (usually by hitting with 3 lb hammer)

Used a pry bar (about 15" ?). That worked well for me. I think I read it in my Ford CD. I have a Haynes manual too. Maybe that does mention a prybar, maybe not.

Used a pry bar (about 15" ?). That worked well for me. I think I read it in my Ford CD. I have a Haynes manual too. Maybe that does mention a prybar, maybe not.


Thanks, I'll do that....The Haynes manual only mentions prying concerning pulling the hub out .....I was considering the possibility of getting a tool to compress the srut spring ....but I'll get a good pry bar instead.....Thanks
Hugh

I used a spring compressor and a prybar. I thought the instructions for strut removal included the compressor.