Doing this at home with 2 jack stangs and a jack. Got the shocks off but the axle won't drop far enough to get the springs out. Looks like I have to take the upper control arm off. I started to unbolt it at the differential but the bolt in there is really tight. Can't seem to get the differential jacked to the right height where it comes out easy.

Question is, if I take them off is it going to be a royal PITA to try and get the upper arm bolt back on?

Reason I ask is I have an appt next week to get a gear reduction starter put on and if I am going to fight this all weekend to get it back together maybe I should have the shop do this too.

you might try this it works for me,, put the car high up on the jack stands. diconnent the driveshaft, let the rearend dangle pull down one side the spring should near drop out, if there worn out enough; after you install the first one you will need to jack that side up to get the other side down enough just becarefull not to push the car off the stands you can also use a a spring compresser like you would on the front ,

I set mine on jackstands on each side of the frame in front of the rear axle un-hooked the shocks and used a small prybar to lift the spring out of the pocket and inserted the new springs in this fashion. Good luck to you.

Try jacking up on one side to get the other side to drop lower. You could also try loosening the upper arm bolts... if they have stock rubber bushings, they may be holding the rear from dropping as far as it otherwise could. Just be sure the brake hose does not get stretched.

let the rear hang, jack up one side, and pry the other side out.
it goes back together the same, but putting the second one back in can be kind of a pain sometimes, depending on the springs.

If you have an appointment you might want to wait as you never know what you are going to run into. This operation, replacing the springs, should go smoothly and not take more then a few hours. This link might help.
Rear Spring Removal GM A-Body 64 thru 72 (http://www.leverfamilysite.com/images/PDF_Files/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Rear%20End%20removal%20Article.pdf)

If you have an appointment you might want to wait as you never know what you are going to run into. This operation, replacing the springs, should go smoothly and not take more then a few hours.

I should of. Only took 6 hrs. Wound up renting spring compressors, then one got jammed so had to go back and rent another set to get the first one unjammed. But hey proabbay saved my self $15. Thats what holidays are for :o

i dont know why, but did you know there is a spec. for which way the tangs point when the rear springs are installed-they are both sup. to point towards the p/s-ran across that once in the assebm. man.