[72k5ls]

As far as the old bolt pieces falling out you might get lucky might not it has gone both ways for me. Yes I would take the shock loose so it does not limit your axle droop. Use a c clamp or duck tape to hold the springs together since the tie bolt is broke also makes it easy to install the new bolt since you are not having to compress the springs back together. I also noticed you have a small spacer under your main helper spring that could have kept the head of the tie bolt from falling into the alignment hole on the axle. Had this happen once too.