Outlander trailing arm suspension

[Fillos]

Right, so now I have to change the rear CV boots (inners) on this 08 Outlander 500 and I didn't realize until I go the shocks off that I would need to pull out the entire trailing arm system. The manual says I am supposed to replace the "elastic" nuts at the back if I take them off. Is this just crazy, or do y'all actually do that?

Will I need to take apart the whole trailing arm assembly (both sides) in order to tork it back together properly? And, does anyone have any suggestions for replacing the spanner wrench for removing trailing arm nut, or am I going to have to go out and by the socket?

Thanks for the help!

Fillos

[Fillos]

OK, follow up for folks that might find this post and wish the answers were here.

The trailing arm assembly is a freakin nightmare. The nuts, and splines are covered in locktite red at the assembly plant, and it took me three hours with a drift pin, a torch, and a 32 ounce Eastwing to get one side loose to take this apart. My advice for anyone looking to do work on this trailing arm system is to take it to the dealer an get it covered under warranty if you can. There have been recalls issued for squeaking in the assembly (no doubt caused by copious amounts of the red locktite) so you might just get it done for free.

For those of you looking to repair a CV shaft - try this trick which I did not discover until it was too late. Take out both lower shock bolts, and remove the castellated (castle) nuts from the outer joint. Then push the trailing arms as far down as they will go without the restriction of the shocks. The inner CV joints ought to pop out of the differential without even pulling, but once you have play here, you will be able to pull the inner joints out if they don't pop out on their own. Don't make the mistake I did when trying this and attempt to pull out the outer (wheel side) joints. There is not enough play, but there is plenty of room to pop the inboard joints out of the diff without removing the trailing arms.

While you are there, change the gear oil in the diff.

As for the wrench in the trailing arm assembly? Buy one if you need to do it, and make sure that the threads on the frame mount for the trailing arms is good and clean before you start turning that nut.

I hope this helps someone, cause it sure didn't help me...

Fillos

[torkmonster]

Well, I havent had any troble with the axles nor the trailing arms on my 800 yet....
From the sounds of it I hope I dont.....
Thanks for takin the time to post the results and how ya did it.
I am sure it will come in handy for somebody!

[N.I.B.]

The spanner socket wrench is a good thing to have. You can get one from the dealer for not that much $.