Front strut removal and replacement for a 2000 VW Jetta TDI

What is the easiest way to remove the front struts? My Haynes manual says to remove the drive shafts, the stabilizer bar and the wheel housing. An online you tube video says to remove the lower nut on the strut where the strut enters the top of the wheel housing. Then remove the main axle nut. Then remove the 3 bolts & lock plate on the lower control arm, underneath the wheel assembly. Then tap with a hammer on top of the wheel housing to disengage the wheel housing from the lower end of strut. Initially, it says to only loosen the top nut on the strut mounting plate, underneath the hood, to only keep the strut from falling down, once the wheel housing is tapped with hammer in a down position. Can I just use my torque gun to loosen this top nut on top of the strut, underneath the hood, without using a 7 mm allen wrench to hold allen nut or shaft from turning? The videos are not very good. Tell me what you think.