I have a 98 Camry that needs a new forward rear trailing arm. The previous owner must have hit a curb or something and its bent. It is arm number 1 in the picture. I tried to replace it and ran into an issue. the head of the bolt is facing the front of the car and can not be pulled out after loosening it because the gas tank sits right in front of it. The pictures should help explain better. Does anyone know how to replace this arm?

 

Run the car until the tank is almost empty and drop it. You may not need to fully remove it, just enough to move it out of the way.

The two straps hold it up. Access to the top of the tank is from under the rear lower seat cushion. Pull out the seat cushion and remove an oval metal cover.

 

I thought that might the way. Okay so those two straps and the metal oval from the top?

 

The oval cover allows access to the fuel pump and fuel gauge sender. It does not support the tank. The tank is supported by the two straps.

If you drop the tank you will need to undo the fuel tank filler pipe bolted to the chassis.

There is also an EVAP hose on top of the tank that is not accessible from the oval cover. The hose is removed after dropping the tank far enough to access it.

 

So it looks like I am going to have to take it to the shop. I can't get the car jacked up high enough to drop the tank. And I don't have a jack to lower it down. Damn it! Thanks guys.

 

Thanks for posting back.

You can always use the spare tire jack and blocks. Just make sure the car is safely blocked before going under it!