I used a 1/4" to 1/8" socket adapter as a spreader, it worked just fine turned 1/8th of a turn after being inserted. That spread the joint enough to make the strut come almost out. The last 1/2" is the toughest part, though.
I don't know that I recommend it, but I used my floor jack to get the strut out. I took a section of pipe about 14" long, and put the top of it right under one of the clips that held the brake lines on the old strut. I put the other end of the pipe on top of the floor jack and slowly raised the jack. This compressed the spring just enough to get the bottom of the strut out of the housing. Still took me about an hour and a half to get just that one strut out.
Good luck, hope this helps.