[Cyber10]

Originally Posted by Nick S

I just went through this process on my car. Granted I have a lift in my garage which likely made it a little easier but I did not do anything with the subframe to lower it down. I never touched the sub frame bolts. If you are going to have the rear shocks out and if you take the rear upper control arm out you will have pretty good access to the two bolts that hold the bushings to the subframe.

The hardest bolt to get access too is the bolt that is installed from the rear that holds the upper control arm into the bushing. I tried swivel adapters, short extensions, deep wells, etc.... The only tool I found to work decently was just a regular combination Open end/Box end wrench that has the box end with a slight bend in it. Mine was just a regular ole Craftsman combination wrench. The angle on the box end gave me just enough clearance to swing about 1/4 turn at a time. I did have the rear sway bar removed as well since I was also changing that out. That also helped give more room to access the bolt. I also had taken the rubber exhaust hangers off on the mufflers and just under the center of the diff off so I could lower the rear exhaust down a little. I had to lower the exhaust a little to get my sway bar out easier. But I was able to get it done this way.

Just be patient and it shouldn't be too bad.

I'll have the sway bar, struts, and LCA's out as they're all being replaced and will remove anything else around them as needed. Unfortunately I'll be working on the floor, will have access to a lift in the future but not planning on waiting that long just to be able to get the car in the air. I could remove the entire back end of the exhaust if I really needed to, mine disconnects about a foot or so in front of the differential but last time I took it off on the ground it was a real PITA since the clamps were corroded, the hangars near the tips sucked to take off and put back on as well and I'm pretty sure one of the hangars isn't fully seated so the tip doesn't sit where it's supposed to

Really my biggest worry is making sure I have the tools to get to the bolts, I don't want to get all of this out and not have something that can access those bushing bolts. I'm probably going to buy a long arm ratcheting set with flex heads just in case I need them, I have regular size combo and ratcheting wrenches if a shorter wrench is better. I figured if there's room to get a long wrench up there though the added leverage might be a big help.