When I swapped my air suspension for coils, I put the bolts in the wrong way when I replaced the upper arms. Once I realized this, it was too late, as the coils were back in.
As far as I could determine, you need to remove the coil/shock unit to get that bolt in and out. Thats what I did. FYI -- if you have access to one of those socket sets that allow the threaded bolt to protude though the middle of the ratchet, THIS is the cats meow in removing the coil/shock units.
In my estimation, it is unlikely that the shocks are OK but the upper control arm is shot. Meaning: if you are replaceing the upper arms, you have the whole shebang pretty much appart. Get it over with and replace the shocks as well.
Sounds like you have coils and not air bags. You will need to get the shocks, which are pretty reasonable and either get a spring compressor, or take it some place and have them swap the shocks out. You cannot do this without proper tools, as the springs are under compression.
Just my opinion....
