im at the point with my catabck where i need to work the muffler and pipe over the rear.....i need to drop the axle down to do this....i jacked it up from the body and the wheels are in the air....i still need to drop it more....do i disconnect the shock?

 

The shocks are the only thing holding it up, so don't undo them unless the axle is supported. If you have to drop the axle all the way down, disconnect the driveshaft first.