Replace Lateral Link

[Pat_Panzera]

Just joined- need a little help.

I have a 2003 PR5 and I did something REALLY stupid.
I had a flat on the right rear so I blindly slid my floor jack underneath and commenced to raise the wheel off the ground. When done, I noticed some odd toe-in on that wheel.

Fearing the worst, I jacked the car up again, using a hard-point in the center and saw that I had bent the front lateral link.

So I began to remove it and then realized that the bolt in the middle of the car can't come out without removing (or at least lowering) the entire rear suspension assembly.

Is my assessment correct?

If so, what might I be up against? How difficult is the process? Are there any videos available that might show me the process so I don't destroy anything else?

Thanks!!!

Pat

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

Damn, trying to picture this........I had backed into something that caught my tire and bent mine before and replaced them both on one side. Not remembering having to remove any extra stuff other than from the spindle on one end and from the subframe on the other. IIRC, there is access to get socket in from one side and has welded nut on the subframe. At work right now so can't go look. Lemme look at a coupla pics and see if I can tell................

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

OK, here, this might help.............

See the squarish holes facing down that the blue piece goes up in? I think there is nut or bolt up in there associated with lateral link removal and maybe one or the other on the outside.

 

[Pat_Panzera]

Yep. Just took a look under my car. It's as you say. I just assumed it was one long bolt like at the spindle end, but that's not the case. I can also see that the front link is longer than the rear answering a yet to be followup question.

Thanks!!!

Pat

 

[Pat_Panzera]

Alrighty then,

I got under the car this morning, removed the nut and drove the bolt out as far as I could.

But although it's not nearly as long as I initially suspected, the bolt seems to be too long anyhow. The head hits the gas tank before the link is free to drop out.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!!!

Pat

 

[pcb]

I'm just guessing here, but what about cutting that bolt into pieces to remove it then install a new one from the other side so the nut is at the gas tank ???

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

Damn, been so long ago i forgot about that. I would have to say i did have to drop crossmember from the looks of that. i know i didn't jack with the tank.

 

[bikingpro5]

fastest way to remove the lateral arms is going to be undoing the 4 bolts on the side of the subframe and the 2 that are in the middle attached to the other bracket. then you can easily slide out that bolt in the middle and start on the bolt that goes all the way through the hub. You can do all of this easily with the car on jack stands.

here is a link to a How-to for installing the megan laterals, just use it and reinstall the OE laterals. You just dont need to remove all of the parts just lower the subframe enough to get that bolt out which is not much.

http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?55651-Megan-Lateral-Links-installed&

 

[dragonballspeed]

Personally I would remove the gas tank bolts and lower the tank. You have a lot less chance of completely distroying your alignment. Even though you think that nothing moves, its a pretty good chance your car will be "crabbing" down the round once you reinstall.

Just put a jack under the tank and lower, there is enough play that you can lower it without disconnecting everything

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

I think replacing lateral links is already gonna call for fresh alignment afterward. Lowering the gas tank instead of subframe is not gonna keep that from being required.

 

[P-Funk!]

Me? I would dent the gas tank if it only needs a wee bit more room...

[shrug]

 

[Pat_Panzera]

I probably spent more time fretting over it than what it took to do the job.

Long story short it was easy and painless to drop the cross member a few inches so that the bolt could be removed.

At each end is an alignment pin that made reinstalling it a breeze. I will get it professionally realigned but the test drive shows zero tracking issues.

As for the bent link, I was able to straighten it easily but I'll be ordering a new one soon.

I put the bolt in the other way so removing it next time will take less effort and time than jacking the car up and removing the wheel.

Thanks for the help!

Pat