How do I remove the bolt holding the rear lateral arms to the body?

[awmccready]

97 camry LE 2.2L 135K miles.

The gas tank is in the way of my removing the long bolt under the center of the car holding the rear 2 lateral arms that reach to the right rear carrier axle/knuckle. Is there a way to remove this long bolt to replace the rear (adjustable) lateral arm without removing the gas tank?

If I do, is it possible and safe to replace the bolt by inserting it from the opposite direction? That is so that the nut is where the bolt head is now? It looks as though there is clearance to do this, but I am not sure and don't want to get into another quagmire.

The only way I can see to remove the bolt is to hacksaw the bolt head off and then withdraw the bolt from the nut side. However, there is the special concave washer under the bolt head that I may have to also cut through and replace to do that. Clearance to hacksaw the bolt head may be very restrictive and the bolt may be so hard that it could take days to hacksaw the bolt (and washer?).

Alternatively, is it much easier to remove the gas tank to remove the bolt? (It sure doesn't look that way.)

Thanks for any advice or helpful comments.

[dave1811]

Do you meant the arm assembly, rear suspension right (Part#48710A, Arm Assembly, Rear Suspension, No. 1 RH, Part# 48710-AA010)?

Maybe this diagram might help.

http://www.utoyot8.com/FullImage.asp...607-++++%29NAP

[awmccready]

Originally Posted by dave1811

Do you meant the arm assembly, rear suspension right (Part#48710A, Arm Assembly, Rear Suspension, No. 1 RH, Part# 48710-AA010)?

Maybe this diagram might help.

http://www.utoyot8.com/FullImage.asp...607-++++%29NAP

Yes, that (part # 90901-09001) is the long bolt, the head of which is about an inch away from the gas tank. That's true on both the right and left assemblies.

Thanks for the diagram. I wish I had a diagram that good of the drum brake shoe assemblies as well.

[ghettosled]

i ended up cutting the bolt and replacing it with bolts from a local salvage yard. photos of replacement:

rear wheel wobble? how to diagnosis and replace a bad lateral control arm

[awmccready]

Originally Posted by ghettosled

i ended up cutting the bolt and replacing it with bolts from a local salvage yard. photos of replacement:

rear wheel wobble? how to diagnosis and replace a bad lateral control arm

I saw from your post that to remove the forward lateral link, you re-inserted the cut inner bolt from the opposite direction instead of dropping the fuel tank or cross-member. That answers my questions.

Thanks and great DIY job.

[ghettosled]

[dave1811]

awmccready:

Sent you a PM about your brake parts.

Dave