My (feels like a) new car!

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by Anker

What I am really interested in knowing is whether the suspension needs to be loaded or unleaded when replacing the arm, and also whether it is possible to replace it without removing the brakes. On the diagrams it looks like it should be possible.

Thanks-Anker

You don't need to remove the brakes to do the rear track arms, or the front equivalents.

You may need to load/unload the suspension for two reasons:

1. To get the monoball end to line up in between where it needs to go so you can put the bolt it.
2. To get the fork end to line up with the LCA so it can slide over the LCA and get to the point where it can be bolted.

Theoretically, you wouldn't need to load/unload the suspension, because when the track arm is mounted, it can accommodate the extremes of the suspension movement, but in practice, it is very hard to get things to line up due to the stiffness of the monoball bushing.

Once you get under there and start fitting it together it is all very intuitive. After you do the first side, the second side will take like 10 minutes

[dghii]

Originally Posted by steved0x

You don't need to remove the brakes to do the rear track arms, or the front equivalents.

You may need to load/unload the suspension for two reasons:

1. To get the monoball end to line up in between where it needs to go so you can put the bolt it.
2. To get the fork end to line up with the LCA so it can slide over the LCA and get to the point where it can be bolted.

Theoretically, you wouldn't need to load/unload the suspension, because when the track arm is mounted, it can accommodate the extremes of the suspension movement, but in practice, it is very hard to get things to line up due to the stiffness of the monoball bushing.

Once you get under there and start fitting it together it is all very intuitive. After you do the first side, the second side will take like 10 minutes

Its weird....I've replaced the track (trailing) arms three times while messing with them. I only had to load the suspension one time, on one side...that was the new drivers side one I did on Tuesday. I had the mono-ball started but could not quite get the hub end started.

For me, the key to doing this job quickly and easily is to use an impact wrench. I have an 18V wrench that loosens/tightens these bolts in nothing flat.