Thanks to the tips from the good folks on this borad I managed to extract the sticky torsion bars from my project over the weekend.

I drilled but did not have to pry off the end caps on the spring plate. I shot WD40 into the holes several times last week. I think a weeks worth of soaking paid off. I then duct taped some wood blocks between the spring plate and the body. I used a long punch and a hammmer to drive the torsion bar out of the spring plate. It took some effort but they gradually came free.

Now all I have to do is clean, paint, grease, and reinstall. Oh yes, there's that little detail of setting the susupension height. Whew!

Thanks again for the help gentlemen!