Missing rubber bushings in springs?

Yeah old U-bolts are always hard to get off. Buy a good impact. You'll never regret it.

Unfortunately a open 8-1/4 isn't worth a lot. Even though their good rearends people are all hung up on needing a 8-3/4 even behind a slant 6. In my area an open 8-1/4 with 3.21's is a $100 rearend. If they have hwy. gears you can't give them away. Maybe see what some others say though as prices do vary with region.