I need help

Before I lose my last drop of patience I began to change my rear subframe bushings on my w126 today. Every thing went very easily until it came time to install the large subframe bolt.
Somehow, the subframe became misaligned from the body and I can't screw in the bolt. Looking from the bottom with a flashlight, I can see that the subframe bushing hole is off by about 3/8" from the body mounting hole. I've tried prying, pulling and pushing without any success. Has anyone encountered this problem? Please help as I need to get the car together ASAP.

Thanks for your advice.

[Gilly]

Did you loosen all the other subframe bolts? Do you have someone else to pry while you try installing the bolt? Or vise-versa?

Gilly

I followed the directions on the service manual CD. I only loosened the side that I was working on. I was also alone. I didn't really see a place whe I could get a fulcrum point to pry in the right direction. Do you suggest I release the bolts on the other side? If I do this do I need to support anything on the subframe if I loosen the other side?

Thanks for your insight.

[Gilly]

It would be worth a try loosening the other bolts. If you just loosen there should be no need to support the subframe.

Gilly

I loosened the other side and then used the jacks from all of our cars to **** the weight to where the clearance became close. It took some time, but having patience was a good departure from going Incredible Hulk with frustration. I then put my socket on the bolt and forced the bolt into the hole with a bottle jack. It was kind of a gamble as I was afraid of damaging the threads. With the jack holding the bolts position, I proceeded to tighten to specs. I can't believe how much better and quieter the car rides and handles.

One more question. One of the bolts had become so corroded that the zinc plating was dissolved and the bolt began to rust. I replaced the bolt, but was left wondering if the chassis was rusting out. I didn't see any signs of rust elsewhere. Is this a common occurence ar could this be cause for alarm?

Take it easy

[Gilly]

Nah, I wouldn't sweat that. Being from Wisconsin I can testify that if the bolt came out OK, you don't have a rust problem. When you hve a rust problem you need to torch things apart because things are rusted so badly that bolts seize up and that funky top nut just spins in a circle. Good decision to replace the bolt though.

Gilly