Rear axle removal?
 

Can you remove the convertible rear axle through the trailing arm opening without disconnecting the strut or separating the lateral link? I have the axle completely removed from the differential and separated from the hub. Hub is tie-wrapped upward to the strut spring. I cant seem to push the axle through the trailing arm opening. Is it possible to push through without removing the strut or lateral link? Any tips? Thx.

Yes. It does not fit all the way through the trailing arm. Push the half shaft through the trailing arm a few inches, then pull the diff side of the half shaft down and pull it out from under the car near center of the diff. Be aware your exhaust could be in the way.

If you have removed the hub and the 4 bolts that hold the halfshaft to the diff, you are done unless you need to pop your exhaust off its hangers.

I got mine off with the exhaust in place. I did disconnect the shock, but just to allow the control arm to drop a little lower. May not be necessary if the exhaust has been removed.

Thanks guys. I ended up taking the rear strut out and no problem whatsoever. However, that that upper bushing in the rear hub is a PITA preventing me from removing the hub. Any tips on that? Searching the forum right now for answer.

I got the hub off. Searched and tried a pickle fork but it didn't really work for me. I used a propane torch to apply heat and using a flat head screwdriver moved the bushing outward. Worked great and only took a minute.

I used to just whack the hub with a hammer. it pulled right off.

Hub and axle replacement was much more involved than I anticipated. Took all day to just to replace one side. Thanks for your help.....

Now you got the hub assembly off do this:
Put the long bolt in the top hole..Thread towards the bushing...Put nut on bolt..
Tap the bolt head and it will set the bushing flush so you can install it will ease.

I finished the hub and axle removal and replacement about a week ago and been driving the car this week. No more noises from the rear with new wheel bearings I installed. I thought I'd give some tips which made the job more easy. Being the first time the driver's side was a pain but I learned some things to make the job so much easier. I did the passenger's side in about 3 hours with no problems:

1) To remove the axle nut I bought a HF torque multiplier (1:4) - it was so easy to remove the nut with no fuss.
2) To remove the axles I recommend removing the rear struts. Sounds like a lot of work but its not. It's only 2 strut mount nuts, large bolt and brake clip and the struts come right out. With strut out of the way the axle comes out with no effort and goes in just as easy.
3) Fiddling with the hub I ended up briefly heating the hub legs with a Bernz-o-matic propane torch I got for $25. Just a little heat applied (less than 30 seconds) and the hub bushings move any way you want them.