Stock Strut Mounts

Looking to replace the stock strut mounts, and was planning on getting the KYB replacements from my local parts store.

1. Any reason I should get another brand (Moog, Monroe, etc.)?

2. Do I have to remove the entire strut to replace just the hat, or can I just compress the spring, and lower the assembly enough to replace?

Thanks.

2004 Si
148k miles

1. Many people seem to go with Moog and have not looked back. Their products seem nice and beefy as well, so I'd go with moog if I were you

2. The easiest and safest way is to just remove the strut and compress the spring while it's off the car. You will however need an alignment afterwards, but that's not always a bad thing :)