Hi Sprog
Yes I did it like that a couple of times mate and I agree it is easier to remove the spring that way but I found that the time I spent trying to get the spring washer and locknut back on to the lower bolt on the top bracket without dropping them inside the frame or on the floor it was quicker to undo the one bolt holding the hoof on and get easy access to that one
(size XL fingers don't help either
) and as most of the time I am rotating the spring/hoof to keep them even I tend to do it that way now
I did change Clives 7's over once and the top bracket and the slot in the frame seem to be deeper and it is an easy job to get the nut on so I can see why you do it that way but the PJ ones are a total pain unless you have small fingers
Jason