I just removed the Differential out of a 85 380SE at pick N Pull.
some one else had already removed the rear shocks, and the calipers and rotors were already removed. also the car was sitting on one one their stands which is two steel rims welded together ballanced on the spare tire tube.
I disconnected the driveline from the diff., removed both bolts from the center of the hubs, placed a jack under the Diff, removed the 4 nuts that hold the Diff. to the sub frame. also the rear Diff. mount. removed the Diff. cover so I could remove the both "C" clips off the axles. be prepared PNP doesn`t drain the Diff.
In the process of raising and lowering the Diff. to get the axles out, the springs just fell out on the ground.
I didn`t read the above posts yet to see what the experts advised you, but this is how I accidently did it

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Charlie