It doesn't surprise me. I changed the front lower control arm bushings in my car and didn't remove the wheel assembly, take out the springs or anything else. Yeah, it was potentially more dangerous than the authorized procedure, but it worked for me.

When I changed the rear subframe mounts I looked at the bushings and I wouldn't take the spring out for that, either. It looks fairly easy to get at with leaving everything in place. Fortunately mine didn't need changing.