Jerry, With the wheels off the ground, the vehicle weight would be on the springs when supported at the u-bolts, not on the torque tube, but there is a bit of force from the rubber in the pivots. If one were to loosen the pivot bolts, then there would be no force on the tube. The one that hit me in the head (on a '54 Station Wagon), dropped down and then rebounded up to a neutral position a bit below the u-joint. A ratchet strap over the top of the frame rails and under the torque tube should be enough to restrict it from moving, and could be used to jack the tube upward to allow removing the u-joint pieces.
But if the jack stands were to be placed on the axle, then yes, there would be vehicle weight forcing the torque tube downward.
Craig, there would be no need to loosen the spring u-bolts. But the loosening the pivot bolts would allow the axle to move easier.
