Trailing Arm Removal

[Mike B.]

I am removing the trailing arms and I am having trouble with the outboard bolt on the passenger side. The bolt is hitting the fuel filler hose and I can't get enough clearance to remove it. I did a search and didn't find any tips.

Is there any trick to getting this bolt out aside from lowering the subframe??

[Axxe]

2 options:

1. Unbolt subframe and lower it, potential damage to subframe bushings (if stock and corroded). Good time to replace them.

2. Remove filler hose, might still not have enough room, and make sure you drain the tank first !!

[1990m3]

be patient and turn the wrench 1/16 turn at a time. IIRC it takes a while to get a couple of those trailing arm bolts out

[Mike B.]

I've had no issues with any of the other bolts. Plenty of clearance and they were out in no time with the air wratchet.

So, I decided to drop the subframe. I got the bolts out and it dropped about 1/2" (still not enough to clear the filler line), but won't budge any further. I've tried prybars, 5-lb sledge, etc...

Do I need to heat the bushings to make them a little greasy so it will slide the rest of the way?

[fporro]

did it a few weeks ago, we dropped offending side only and disconected bottom of shock, that will free all of the TA weight and push down SB with it.

[2002maniac]

pulling the hose off will also give enough clearance to slide the bolt out.

[AdamF 88iS]

Drain the gas and pull the hose. Easiest way.