[QUOTE=Thanks for all the replies. We'll try again, armed with the suggestions
[/QUOTE]
Frodo, I would try to 'open' a bit the slot on the hub that is clamping the strut with a prybar you will not damage anything just try to apply a bit of twisting force between the slot that runs up and down (parallel to the strut), if I remember correctly this slot has pretty thick walls, all you would be to release (momentarily) clamping force so the bottom of the so you can reposition the strut again..
.