In the middle of removing the rear lower control arms (wishbones) from our 2004. At this point there is only one bolt still part way in - the inboard forward bolt. It does not want to completely clear the frame, this is with the plastic inner fender liner partially removed for clearance.

The bolt comes about half way out, then the flanged head hits the aluminum floorpan where it curves into a reinforced vertical bulkhead.

Have tried putting the other inboard (rear) mounting point in various orientations.

Makes me wonder if the bolt is in backwards, but a check of the drivers side rear also has the bolt coming in this way (e.g. slipped in from the front).

The x350 Workshop Manual offers no guidance as to how to do this.

Any advice sincerely appreciated -

 

In case this comes up for someone else, the arm has to be just about level (e.g. normal ride height) and then with the rear inboard bolt out, swing that rear inboard part of the arm towards the center of the car as far as it can go. No Dremeling of bolt flanges needed.