Yes both tires are off of the ground. I finally got it. I had to remove a link in the sway bar, when I did this the wheel dropped about two inches. I lined up and installed the strut and jacked up the wheel compressing the strut and replaced the sway bar link. I saw this on a Mazda site. Thanks for all the help guys.
Dacus
This was an interesting project. Replaced all four struts all four rotors and brakes, along with front and back sway bar bushings. Learned a lot.
1. Use the small screw that mounts the brake line to the strut to remove the rotor. (screw it in the two holes on the rotor, alternating until the rotor pops off. This works for the front and back rotors.
2. Even if you buy new upper strut mounts and dust shields, you still have to use the rubber bushing that buts up against the new upper mount. Had it on the car and had to take it off. Ouch.
3. If the rubber insert that goes between the strut and the spring is bad, mine was cracked and dry rotted, you have to order them and they are expensive. $65 for the four of them.
4. Use a large screwdriver and wedge it on the upper mount after you have attached the mount to the strut so you can tighten the upper screw.
5. If you strip a screw you have to drill it out. I stripped a sway bar screw. It has a place for an allen wrench on the end to hold it while you turn the screw. The screw was froze and eventually stripped it. Drilled it out and ordered a new part from Lexus. You have to but the whole bar($110).
6. Remove the small sway bar link to allow the front wheel to drop so you can install the new strut.
7. Front strut main bolt is a 22mm and the read is 19mm.
8. The front brake mount, when you remove the screws that hold the caliper, is adjustable. I tried to put the caliper back on but it would not fit. You can just push in the unit when you put the caliper screws back. Confused?
Good luck guys.