Hello all ! new to the forms and in a bind !

Yesterday I removed my lower ball joint drivers side on my '98 Protege, but for the life of me can't get the new one on.

I bolted it back on to the control arm, but the strut half (the pinch bolt for the ball joint) is 1.5-2.0 to low. It almost seems I have to disconnect the strut. Had to take a day off work to get this fixed as I can't leave my car on jack stands nor can I tow it to a garage the way it is.

Help please !