I get no noise from removing the spring pads. I did put a thin sheet of plastic in as a replacement. I actually used a chunk of a Softner Salt bag.
The rear does look lower in the photos, but I've never noticed that in person. Maybe because my driveway slopes toward the street, it caused that illusion in the photos.
You could leave the bottom spacer in the rear. It would make it easier. When i pulled mine, I cut up the bottom rear spacers so I could put the bump stop back in as it also centers the spring in the perch.