You'll need at least two Jacks, Jackstands, 21mm, 19mm, 17mm, 14mm, & 10mm sockets, and your new parts. If you're planning on replacing the shocks or springs, I'd definitely recommend replacing both shocks and springs at the same time, while you're at it. Like many other R50's of 150k+ miles, my springs and shocks were shot, and the vehicle bottomed out on the slightest of bumps, whenever cargo or passengers were in the back. See the stickied "Suspension Lifts 101" for parts.
First, Jack the car up. You need to do so from the frame, and not the rear axle, as you would to change a tire. Further, the car must be lifted quite high. From the farthest back point on the frame, I jacked the car to the full extent of my jack's capability, with the jack and jackstand sitting on a 2x6, laid flat. This was just enough to get the springs out. I used a hydraulic pallet lifter to independently raise and lower the axle while working, but a third jack would also work. With the car lifted so precariously, be sure to firmly block the front wheels. Remember, the e-brake doesn't do anything up there.
After removing the wheels, the shocks can be unbolted by removing two easily accessed bolts. You'll likely need a breaker bar or impact wrench.
The above two pictures illustrate two key steps that must be taken before dropping the axle. The brake lines, and linkage shown must be freed up. There
are a number of places to disconnect these two components, I've pictured the locations that I chose. There is also a third disconnection that must be made- a small vacuum hose on the top of the differential.
The axle can now be lowered enough to get the springs out. Be careful; lower it too much and you could still damage the brake lines, if you haven't disconnected them entirely.
You should now be able to install you're new springs. I found it necessary to compress the right side spring very slightly, as the anti sway bar seemed to prevent the passenger side of the axle from dropping as far as the driver side.
Next come the shocks, which should go in without difficulty, after jacking up the rear axle. Reconnect the vacuum hose, brake lines, and linkage. Put those wheels back on, lower her down, and you should be good to go, and hopefully sitting a little higher.
) to hold and balance the rear axle...
, rust will defentily kill a pathy/qx4 before anything else.
