Taking out torsion bars to change rear shocks?

[BristolSam16v]

Just changed one of the rear shocks (doing other 1 in the next few days) and I had to take out the torsion bars to be able to push the arm low enough to remove the bottom bolt, is there an easier way of doing it?

[steveo]

No need to do that mate. What's getting in the way of the bolt? The fuel tank can get in the way a bit, but a good bit of positioing of the trailing arm makes it possible.

[MAXIBOY]

not sometimes if its lowered.

[steveo]

Mines Valver is lowered big style and I had no trouble?? Lucky i guess 8)

[BristolSam16v]

yeah its lowered a fair bit at the back, on the drivers side then tank was in the way, not even standing on it got it down low enough :(

[MAXIBOY]

can sometimes get round it if you do both at once.

[BristolSam16v]

Well I had the rear up on axle stands both wheels off, do you mean if I undone the top bolt on both shocks then it might have gone lower?

[MAXIBOY]

or undone the lower bolts on the other side wheres there no tank first. maybe but not sure. worked on mine though

[BristolSam16v]

Top bolt was a right cunt a well!

[MAXIBOY]

yeah they are. buy yourself a cheap impact gun. can be had for around 20 quid.

[BristolSam16v]

I was using a cordless impact wrench! The problem was getting a spanner round to the nut at the back, also the bolt was a 16mm but the nut was 19mm ****ing renault.

[steveo]

There is a slight recess in the tank moulding that i found gave me just enough distance to get the lower bolt out -bit fiddly

[Coops]

jack the car up, axle stand it, use the jack to jack the suspension arm up till the bolt has clearance, easy!

[MAXIBOY]

arm down.

[Coops]

lol, maybe my old valver was a bit low then, was definatly jack it up to the recess in the fuel tank

[BristolSam16v]

Can I jack it up that high, the recess is tiny as well no way would I be able to get the bolt out of there its long as fck