Hey Guys,

I am about to change my rear lower control arm bushings for the urethane type.
I need help. The DRIVER side control arm FRONT bolt head is right up against the plastic gas tank shield. Touching it. As such, the bolt can not be removed. Looks like the gas tank went onto the vehicle after the control arms were installed. Every H2 is like this. Not good.

Question: Will removing the gas tank shield (black plastic/fiberglass structure), give me enough access to remove this bolt?
I really do not want to drop the gas tank in order to get the bolt out.

If it will, how many fasteners do you see? I can only find some near the rear and one side of this shield.
Can't figure out how it is attached to the front of the gas tank or body, as I see no fasteners up front. Anyone do this removal?

If removing the shield does not give enough clearance, any ideas to get it out?
I saw one guy on Youtube cut the head off the bolt, and then just thread a nut on the cut end to reuse it. But that is the hard way, and causes other problems.
The replacement bolt HAS TO go in the same way. Head has to be against gas tank shield. The other way around will not work. So can't just cut it off and buy a new one.

I can not find any other videos online to help.

The gas tank shield has drain holes in it.
Sticking my finger inside, I can see that there is only about 1" of space between it and the metal gas tank.
So removal should get me an inch. But looks like the bolt needs more clearance than that, maybe 2 inches, but hard to tell. That is why I am asking. A simple job of replacing the bushings has turned into a nightmare. And I am not even talking about having to burn out the old rubber bushing, as the pressed-in metal sleeve has to be saved for the new urethane bushings.

Guessing since that front end of the control arm is attached to the frame, jacking or twisting the vehicle will me no difference in gaining clearance?

Please help. I am really stuck. Thanks!

 

Try looking at this thread by LoJac thread 18ish.
He swapped his out.

https://www.hummerforums.com/forum/h...d-38118/page2/

 

@Mule Thanks for the info. He ran into the same problem, and had to drop the gas tank. Surely there must be an easier solution?