Question about compressing coil/removing top plate

[trdracing5]

I am trying to remove the top mounting plate on my coils.
I have compressed the coil spring and am trying to remove the nut that holds the top mounting plate on so that I can install longer studs for a spacer.

When I turn the nut that holds the top mounting spacer onto the coil the shock shaft moves along with it making it impossible to remove the nut.
Is this normal?
Does anyone have any idea how to fix this?
Did I miss something?
How the heck do I get the nut off if the shaft moves along with it.

 

[J.A.]

Yes it is normal, you must hold the upper shock absorber rod with locking pliers (vice grips) while using a 17mm open ended wrench to undo the nut.

 

[trdracing5]

I figured out how to make this work. Used a Shock absorber tool to get the nut off.
http://www.lislecorp.com/tool_detail.cfm?detail=212