[acammer]

Originally Posted by KillboyPowerhead

You can lower the whole cradle down safely/without risking damage. I've done these bushings twice and both times lowered the entire cradle down (using a jack under the differential) until the exhaust touches the rectangular support bracket thing in the middle of the car - this will give plenty of room to squeeze in a socket and the top bushings.

I'll second that - I didn't take the whole cradle out, but if you back out the rest of the bolts most of the way you can definitely get your socket in there to push them out.