Rear spring

[jrd-28]

I've got a '28 which I'm slowly going over and cleaning up. I want to get the rear spring out, so that the frame and spring can each be cleaned up. I've read a lot about how dangerous that thing is, and want to make sure I don't do something stupid.

The rear end is out, so no tension on the spring. It *looks* like I should be able to just back off the nuts on the two big U bolts holding the spring into the frame. Is that a bad idea? If it's not safe to simply unbolt it as is (with the tension off) what's the correct technique to avoid damage or injury?

Thanks in advance ...