OK, this is a really stupid question but when jacking the car up you don't want to jack it up one side at a time correct? Which is what I did. You want to make sure the whole front end is in the air?
That sway bar links idea made me think. Maybe it's pressing up on the side that I have jacked up and won't let the steering knuckle fall enough?
I'll also give the spring compressor a try to. It's mighty tight in there. I'll tell ya, the first time is always a real B#$ch!