Na I do it all the time without removing shocks. Just turn the the exhaust header and muffler down to remove it and rotate exhaust, muffler up. Be sure you coat the rubber outside with oil to lubricate the flange as it goes on. Be sure the rubber is completely inside the header flange


Use good needle nose pliers to grip the spring hook to remove and install it. It'll take some grip but it works well

I do this proceedure at will, so I know it works...