300TE subframe will not lower enough
 

It will not lower enough on the side where I took out the hexagon bolts that hold the rubber mounts in place. I am trying to replace the mounts and the tech manual says that I should lower one side at a time.

The front mount area clears just a little while the back hardly moved down. I don't have enough clearance to remove them with my press tools (I have the correct tools for this job).

It's been suggested that I lower the whole subframe but I really don't want to open a can of worms.

I loosen the aft part of the propshaft and lower the exhaust and then lower both front sides at the same time. I'm down to an hour replacing both front mounts without the special tools.

Thanks daddi,
Any issues with the fuel line being pinched using this procedure?

By the way, if the propshaft is disconnected wouldn't it make sense to just go ahead and lower the whole subframe?

No.

What if I don't remove the rear coupling bolts, would the subframe still move down low enough if I simply remove the front mounts bolts?

No, the idea is that you want to get some tools in to clean the seats for the new mount or you will never be able to get them seated.

I hear horror stories about dismantling the rear flex disk. How easy is this job and what do I have to watch out for?
I have tomorrow all day slated for this, so hopefully I will have the chance to install the subframe mounts.
What I still don't understand is why does the service manual describe the replacement of the subframe mount by just removing the mount hex bolt one side at a time and no mention of disconnecting the drive shaft from the differential.
In my case, it's the rear of the subframe that seems to be stuck. Could it be some flexing of the subframe that's binding it and not allowing it to slide down? I tried to use a pry bar on the rear subframe mount area but I wasn't able to budge the subframe at all. The mount just sits about an inch down while the upper chassis guide is plainly visible going through the mount.