They aren't exactly easy to pry apart either. If its never been apart the bushings have a way of vulcanizing to the shaft, making them seriously difficult to remove. I recently had one so stuck on my Challenger that as I pried on the shackle (right next to the bolt mind you) I actually bent the shackle arm without even budging the bolt out of the frame.
The easy way to do this? Use a propane torch to nuke the bushings. Old bushings melt, shackle falls out. Taa-daa. :cheers: Its so worth buying the new bushings it isn't even funny.
Just be aware that's not an option if the gas tank is still in the car (as mine was). And as always, after any operation using a torch of any kind, make sure you check on your car repeatedly until it completely cools.
If it was me, I'd get a couple of friends and just leave the springs alone. You could also drop the front of the springs by unbolting the hangers, but again, if these have never been apart you may need new hangers (or at least a few studs) after you've removed them.