How to remove rear axle

[wpurple]

..ok, axles ordered and working with a shop to replace both axles but I was thinking about at least changing the rear myself, heck I did it on a Mustang years past.
BUT, the procedure tells me to remove the axle shafts so that you can get the axle out moving it from right to left then down and out as it won't fit this way between the rear quater and the leaf spring. I am not going to do that and I don't feel comfortable with the shop doing that way either. Has anyone removed the rear axle and how have you done so, seems to me that it would be easier to remove the front leaf spring and let it out towards the front??
How difficult is it to work with the leaf spring ?

TIA

Kurt
97 Explorer Sport soon to be 3.73's instead of 3.27

 

[Alec]

Just undo one or both leafspring shackles and you'll have as much room as you need to get the axle out. It'll probably be easier to support the rearend on a dolly, support the frame of the truck, unload the springs, and undo the shackles. Then just roll the axle out the rear. Good luck!