do the torque boxes need to be unbolted to remove the front of the leaf springs?

Yes, that is the only way to get the bolt out of the front bushing. The rear sub-frame is in the way of the bolt when you try to push it out.

Soak the six bolts down good over several days with PBB and HOPEFULLY the little cage nuts won't break b/c if they do, I had to use my trusty cheap HFT, 4.5" angle grinder to grind all six of the bolt heads off to get this done.

What a pain b/c you have to stick your head right up in there to see what you are doing with sparks flying all around!

Use GOOD eye and nose protection and make darn sure you have your car up GOOD enough so it CAN'T come down b/c if it does, it can KILL you!!

REMEMBER WORK SAFELY HERE!!

And you don't have to drop the tank to unfasten the shackles as long as you work slow with a long wrench.. Another pain too!!!!!!!!!!!

pdq67

yeah I got the torque boxes out and yes one side had to have all the bolt heads cut off.
the clip nuts were broken.
looking for another set and only ones i find are at ground up and they look more like body panel clipnuts and im unsure if they can handle the stress.
If I cant find a suitable replacement I got an idea that will solve the problem of those pesky clipnuts once and for all.

Get the stamped sheetmetal cone shaped ones with the rolled threads in the cone!

Suckers are good ones!!

I think from NPD or D&R, I always forget where I got mine????

pdq67

That, or cut holes in the floopan, and weld in nuts. This is the route I went.

I agree with pdq. Just finished with replacement of my rear shocks/springs and bushings. Also replaced all my J nuts. I had only one j nut break on me though, the last one. Don't give it a second thought - replace them all if you are lowering your springs. You'll be glad you did. I got mine off of ebay the kind that pdq described. Good price, fast delivery and under the seller id of ktcamaro67.

http://www.amkproducts.com/ has the better quality replacements J clips. Many have reported the common replacements strip out... Check this out.

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=83635&highlight=nuts

I agree with pdq. Just finished with replacement of my rear shocks/springs and bushings. Also replaced all my J nuts. I had only one j nut break on me though, the last one. Don't give it a second thought - replace them all if you are lowering your springs. You'll be glad you did. I got mine off of ebay the kind that pdq described. Good price, fast delivery and under the seller id of ktcamaro67. These were the CIP brand J nut.