Flex-O-Matic bushing install - on or off truck?

[F100 Dad]

I need to replace all of the bushings on my Flex-O-Matic rear leaf springs with the Energy Suspension poly bushings.

I plan to remove the old ones by sawing through the old metal outer bushings with a recip saw or body saw and then pounding the old bushing out.

Which is easier, doing it with or without removing the springs from the truck?

I suppose I would only be doing 4 of the 8 on the truck since I should be able to unbolt the "rockers/shackles".
It has a second set of overload leafs with contact pads, no eyes.

I'm just not sure what I'm getting in to messing with the (oversize) axle U bolts.

This is a daily driver, not a restoration project truck.

[blumule]

if you can do it in the truck your a better man than me. I took mine off,heated the soft rubber with map gas until it was on fire and gooey then just punched them out with a hammer and a piece of copper pipe. you will be reusing your outer metal sleeve with the poly bushings.go get em, and remember to have fun!

[sargentrs]

Take 'em off. You'll be glad you did. Here's how I removed my old bushings/sleeves. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 5&start=15 About half way down the page. Once I had the old rubber out, I just started folding the edge of the outer sleeve in until I could get my air chisel to bite. After the bit got about halfway down, they practically fell out.