Tryin get my front shocks out, everything undone, compressing the spring but can't shift the bottom of the shock from where its slots in. It's loose can twist it but not lift it up

Spray some more penetrating oil in the joints between the damper and the hubcarrier...also have you got the split slot at the back of the hub carrier wedged open eg with a cold chisel or a proper cam tool by Laser????

Check the wishbone isnt hitting anything so it cant go down further

Both of the above are things to check (especially wedging the split open a bit), but they both miss the blindingly obvious ...........

Your hammer is not large enough

Yup, bigger hammer, or more porridge and brute force.

Cheers for that. Also on the new shock does the plastic trim which the plastic sleave sits on, does that need putting on the new shock too? It don't seam big enough to fit over the bottom of the piston