what is the best way to separate the sway bar links from the ball studs
so that i can replace shocks/springs in the rear ?

I've used a pickle fork in the past. Mostly because I had one handy. You can probably use your favorite pry bar.

Getting them back on can be a pain. I have used a bar clamp to squeeze them on in the past, but it would have been much easier to use three hands for that; two to hold the clamp in place and one to tighten it. You may also need to use a floor jack to move one wheel or the other up and down until the drop-link and the ball-end line up.

Aaaahndy says that putting a small hole in the end of the bushing helps by letting the air out. I haven't tried that; I haven't needed to since I have read that advice.

--DD