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I am replacing bushings and shocks in the rear. Both ends of the axle are disassembled and sitting on blocks, with the body supported by a separate set of blocks. In putting things back together, I notice it is hard to get the last donuts on the ends of the torque rod and the support arm. They are cocked at too much of an angle, with the axle so far below its normal riding height. I also notice that the rubber seats under the springs have been gouged by the locating pins on the axle, which tells me that the axle was either rocking backward or was permanently set with too much backward tilt, by the PO when he did this job a while ago.
So I have a plan. I will start by first installing the lower torque rod. This will set the axle into position with the torque rod ear at about 5 o'clock, looking at the passenger side. Then I can put the spring in, raise the axle just a little, install the support arm, then do the same to the other end of the axle.
Maybe that would firm things up enough so I could then jack harder on the axle and fasten the shocks, the limiting straps, and maybe get the second donut on the threaded end of the support arm.
I know to leave the torque rod and support arm bolts loose until the car is sitting on the ground, and then tighten everything.
Does this sound right? Normally I go more by trial and error, but there's that coil spring....
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