Changing pins and shackles

[Nev62]

When changing pins and shackles (rear suspension), do I have to drop the diff from the leafs (SOA) or can it be left bolted on with the U bolts? I'm guessing the shocks will have to be disconnected.

[mudtoy]

Leave wheels, springs and shocks all in place. Take the weight of the chassis on a jack and undo all nuts on shackles. Raise chassis until all weight is off springs and the pins should come out easy. Put the new ones in, lightly torque the nuts and lower the vehicle. Fully tighten the nuts when the full vehicle weight is on the springs.
Good luck.

[Nev62]

Leave wheels, springs and shocks all in place. Take the weight of the chassis on a jack and undo all nuts on shackles. Raise chassis until all weight is off springs and the pins should come out easy. Put the new ones in, lightly torque the nuts and lower the vehicle. Fully tighten the nuts when the full vehicle weight is on the springs.
Good luck.

Cheers for that. I changed the springs and found the original (non-greaseable) pins 40% worn

The shackles were badly pitted from corrosion. I did not have much choice at the time but to put them back in. My new shackles and pins have arrived so I am going to change them this weekend. If I had known how cheap they are, I would have done them long ago.