Removing bilstein 5100 - stripped hex

The dealer replaced my rear 3 leaf oem that snapped with the new 4 leaf. They didnt put the add-a-leaf i had back on. The mechanic gave it back to me but he kinda said just take it before they realize u had it on and wont honor the recall.

Anyway, i want to put it back on cuz it sits too low. I put it on originally so im not scared.

On the 5100 shocks there is the allen key in the top, and you twist the nut with a wrench.

2 questions.
1- to get the lower mount out, is it a threaded bolt or does it slide in (thus slide out)? I tried to get it out with no luck.

2- is the lower shock removed from the craddle under full droop or full compression or what?


On a side note, i was gonna loosen the top to replace a torn boot but i stripped the hex. I think i didnt clean it out good enough. Whats the options for when i NEED to get the shock out? Besides ruining (cutting) the shock out.

 

I tried that nut, just spins the shaft of the shock.
So i tried vise grips on the shaft at the very top so it wont impact shock body travel and it still spins. I tried to hammer an allen key into the top but cant get much oomph on the swing of the hammer cuz there isnt any room. Still spin. Need another idea.

As far as the full droop part, i guess i gotta give it another try and find the sweet spot where there is no tension on the shock.

 

Any other tips besides cutting the shock out? Only 30k on shock so id say it has life left in it.