I am having a hell of a time trying to reinstall the TRAILING ARM!

[FLORIDADUDE727]

OK GUYS. I SEARCHED. you know how its realy hard to remove the bolt from the rear lower control arm by the diff? well i was able to get it out and put it back in.

But, the trailing arm (where the spring sits) i got the bolt out but i just can not put it back in.

any sugestions besides: "remove the diff." ???? i searched and could not find. :(

[martin01]

damn, I did this w/ the whole subfame out and it was a pain in the ass, can't imagine what a bitch it must be for you.

anyway, since you got the bolt out, you are able to get it back in the hole, right? if not, then you'll hav to move the diff, probably not out all the way but just enough.

If you can get it in the hole but just not all the way through, then it's just a matter of moving the trailing arm around or supporting it (esp. if the front bracket is free), the weight of the trailing arm might be twisting the control arms and thus preventing the bolt from going through.

[FLORIDADUDE727]

Any one else? Do I just HAVE to move the diff?

[old skool]

You could always loosen it and have someone put pressure on it while you put the bolt back in. You can also try to a jack to put pressure on different components to provide some room.

AFAIK the usual suggestion is loosen and move the diff or take it off.

[AlpinaM3]

I think you have to move the diff out of the way or remove it. The bolt you are having trouble with will hit the diff which is what is happening to you.

[SQ Bimmer]

Are you talking about a control arm? Or trailing arm?

If the diff is in the way, unbolt it, and pry it out of the way as much as you can. Removing it is a PITA and you might get away with just prying it while unbolted.

[ned coed]

i saw a thread on this a short while ago and i remember the advice was to just slaken the diff mounting bolts then it will give you enough room to put the bolt in.

[sparkyman215]

Yeah, you don't have to remove the diff. You will have to loosen some of the bolts and maybe take the rear bolts out all the way. Support the diff with a floor jack and you should be able to pry it out of the way. I have changed out all the rear suspension parts and never had to take the diff all the way out.

[FLORIDADUDE727]

i saw a thread on this a short while ago and i remember the advice was to just slaken the diff mounting bolts then it will give you enough room to put the bolt in.


Ok thats an interesting thing? like trim the hat you mean?