Were you able to remove the lower mount bolt on the front without having to cut them out? Even after as little as a year, I would have to cut mine out when re-building them. I'd have to cut through the misalignments and the lower mount bolt to get them free. Seemed to be the case regardless of what coating I used or how much penetrating oil I applied. It was mostly an annoyance because it adds a bit of work and then I'd have to spend another $40 on spacers and wait a day or two to get them shipped to me.

It was the noise that always forced me to do them too. It would get so noisy it was embarrassing. My best attempted solution was rubber boots for the lower shock ends. That seemed to extend life a long time on the bearing. I never really had issues with the uppers. So I think the wear was primarily environmental. Oddly the rears never had issues. Just the front lowers.

These guys: They can be a real PITA to get on though. Apparently there's a specialty tool for it. I don't have one, but it looks like a good idea.