How in the bloody hell do I uncover the rear strut towers in my 90 wagon? am trying to remove struts and put on coil sleeves. where the codswalloping codswallop is the magic button that uncovers the tops?

There isn't one.

 

First it's already a coilover shock.....not a strut.

 

the top mount bolts into the inside top of the wheelwell.  Not from inside.

+1. Raise up the rear end, take the wheel off. Two bolts at the top of the strut, one pinch at the bottom.

I just got done doing mine tonight. The biggest problem is the coil compessor with the little springs for the rear.

the frustration ended and i figured it out.. felt stupid. never good to make assumptions

Hehe, it happens.

For those rear top hat bolts, I use a foot long (or longer) 1/2" socket extension and a breaker bar. It really helps getting at them without denting the fender or bleeding knuckles.