Front strut replacement, couple of questions

I'm getting ready to replace my front struts. I've researched the procedure in posts here, the 101 book, and the Bentley manual, and I have a couple of questions.

First, when I’m reinstalling the strut should I jack up the wheel carrier to compress the strut assembly before torquing the drop link/wheel carrier pinch bolt and the three top mount nuts? It seems to me pre-loading it with some weight would eliminate the possibility of “settling movement” after the front is back on the ground.

Second, I don’t think I have a lower control arm with an adjustable caster installed in the front, so do I need to mark the position of the bolt head relative to the control arm/frame to keep anything aligned when I’m re-tightening?