Army, let us know your final out come with the Aluminum Arms. everything I have read up to this point, they won`t work.
Alastair, when I replace the Sub Frame bushing and Trailing Arm bushings I read through all the various threads on replacing axles, Differentials and dropping the Sub Frame Assy. I have removed Axles and the Diff, but had never dropped the whole assy. PNP is a great training facility.
After I got it out of the 85 300D, and everything replaced and ready to go back in, I used 3 Floor jacks. one under the Diff, and the other 2 under each trailing Arm. then just roll it under the car, and raise it up and tighten the bolts. Just make sure the Diff mount is on the correct way or the 4 13mm bolts won`t line up.
When you have a high milage car, it is simpler to replace the Arms with a lower mileage set and you won`t have to mess changing the rear wheel bearings. that is what I did on the 85, and I just scored on a set off a 81 280E with 109K. these are going under the 240.
When removing the Arms off the donnor car, don`t cut the parking brake cables like I did at PNP. then you have to replace the cable from the parking brake. a PITA to do, just remove cable from under the vehicle at the adjuster.
Charlie