The shocks don't need the support strap. They will not open up like a Monroe/KYB etc. I worked on my right front shock/strut last night and replaced the upper mount as a stud had broken. Compressing the springs on these is not easy. At least it can be done on the bench, but the springs need lots of compression to get the assembly apart. Not a job for the faint hearted. Do this with a good spring compressor and think it though before making a bad move. Lots of energy in a compressed spring. All in all my original shocks on my '00 looked still had tight compression and the rubber components on the shock mount looked in good shape despite the age. When changing these out make certain that the mount is correctly oriented. The bolt are not 90 degrees apart. It is like 75 degrees, 105 degrees, 75 degrees, 105 degrees. Look at the shock mount before taking it off and make certain the bolts on the top are oriented correctly or you will be compressing the spring again to move it like I did last night.