How to get to the drivers side rear IRS bolt; I’m doing my lowering springs and steeda irs support

[Palma]

I just finished my front suspension upgrade and starting on the rear but realized that I cant get to the rear IRS bolt as it blocked by my exhaust. Maybe there is a better socket extension or swivel? But I can’t get the socket square on it for removal. Any advice? I really dont want to drop my exhaust as I am working by myself on the garage floor. I have the factory active exhaust.

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[John S]

Pictures? What about unhooking one or both hanger brackets and letting the exhaust droop out of the way? I feel for you working on your back. Good luck.

 

[WItoTX]

I just used a long extension to break it lose. that gets it pretty square. Not perfect, but enough to get all sides of the bolts in contact with the socket.

 

[Palma]

I went to harbor freight and got some bendy ratchets and different breaker bar. Dropped part of the exhaust and now it’s good to go. Just got old spring out and the new one in on the one side and about to start the steeda irs dowels and brackets. But, needed a coffee break! Glad I’m retired and can fart around with stuff like this.

 

[Palma]

I just used a long extension to break it lose. that gets it pretty square. Not perfect, but enough to get all sides of the bolts in contact with the socket.

I was really afraid of stripping that bolt head. But I got square on it with hand tools. Wish I could have put power on it. Lots of little turns! Thanks again guys. This is still a fun project and I am learning some stuff.

 

[WItoTX]

I was really afraid of stripping that bolt head. But I got square on it with hand tools. Wish I could have put power on it. Lots of little turns! Thanks again guys. This is still a fun project and I am learning some stuff.

Yeah, I usually break it loose by hand, then impact it out. Just one of those tight spots.

 

[Palma]

I was able to drop the rear and mid portion of the exhaust to get a couple extra inches and got the spring out, new one in, and was able to do the IRS dowels, and brackets without too much fuss other than that two part bracket back portion. One more corner to go and then it’s done!
Worst part has been the front sway bar by myself, and these rear IRS bolts I have to use hand tools to get to. Otherwise not a terrible job… although I will feel beat up for the next two days after rolling around on the ground.

 

[Palma]

So, yesterday afternoon, I buttoned up the one side and hit the other rear; ran into alignment problems with the irs on the last bolt of the 4. Called it a night. This morning, lowered the other side just a 1/4” or so and tried that last bolt again and bingo! Unfortunately, I am waiting on the FedEx guy to drop off the last bump stop I need as one got left out of my steeda order. Supposed to be on the ruck right now!
here is a picture of my PP1 parts that are out with 7k miles on them. Wondering if I should keep them or get rid of them.

 

[eisenhauer01]

Nice work! It sounds like ultimately you had to loosen all of the IRS at the same time to get that last alignment dowel in?
If so, I'm not surprised. I already had everything loose when I was going back together with mine and the last one was snug (due to tolerance stack up) as well.
If you did indeed have to loosen everything, and not just one side at a time, make sure you get an alignment. If it was me I would get one regardless but just saying.
Lastly, I would get someone with a base car would buy those parts from you as they are practically new and would be an upgrade over their setup.

 

[Palma]

Nice work! It sounds like ultimately you had to loosen all of the IRS at the same time to get that last alignment dowel in?
If so, I'm not surprised. I already had everything loose when I was going back together with mine and the last one was snug (due to tolerance stack up) as well.
If you did indeed have to loosen everything, and not just one side at a time, make sure you get an alignment. If it was me I would get one regardless but just saying.
Lastly, I would get someone with a base car would buy those parts from you as they are practically new and would be an upgrade over their setup.

I did have to loosen all 4 then it went right in. Just released the other size 1/4” and that was enough.
Yes I definitely have to get an alignment; I changed the front struts out too. No getting around it for me.

 

[eisenhauer01]

I feel your pain. I did a lot on the rear of mine (look at my "Rebuilding IRS" thread) and now I'm in the middle of doing the front myself. It will be worth it in the end and it's fun tinkering.

 

[Palma]

Got it all back together! Drove it around for about 25 minutes and my first impression is it’s very nice. A comfortable ride, not harsh at all and we have speed bumps in our neighborhood. Zero body roll. I can feel the difference in the IRS dowels and brackets when I get on the power. No nose dive on hard braking. Shockingly, it drives pretty damn straight. I‘m still going to get an alignment appointment tomorrow. I definitely learned a lot and lucky I have the free time to do it and not rush as I’m retired. Spent about 200 bucks in tools. It was worth it to me. The steeda minimum drop was a little more than 1/2” not quite 3/4“. I’m happy. It tightened up the handling and I set both sways on full soft. I might change that.

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