So i've had some friends with more experience and tools than I have help me out and do all my bushings for me, I'm now getting around to putting the suspension back on the car. I'm having a lot of trouble with the rear where the lower arm pillow ball connects to the wheel hub on both sides. It just will not slide into place, no matter what i do.

is there a trick to getting this bastard back into place?

Quick picture for reference, this is from above the driver side, the outside pillow ball on the left of the picture is the one I'm having problems with

 

There's a sleeve right there that you have to push outwards in order for the new pillow ball to slide in. Think along the lines of spreading the front caliper pistons in to install new brake pads. You have to spread this sleeve out a little bit to make room for the pillow ball.

 

ahhhhh, that makes sense. Thank you so much, I've been pulling my hair out over this!

 

No problem. The service manual doesnt mention this step and it's common for people to get stuck here. The toe links are the same way should you ever need to replace them. Let me know if you need anything.

 

The sleeve doesn't seem to want to move on mine...any special method to this? I'm guessing it's seized and I should just file down the atomic Rex bushing instead?

 

use a bolt with washers on each side to retract the sleeve back in. It won't move by hand. Spray some PB Blaster in there to lube the sleeves also.

 

Dont file anything down. The sleeve will move. Clean the sleeve to remove any dirt/grime and spray some PB blaster to help lubricate it. Sometimes theyre hard to move but I havent ran into one yet that wouldnt budge.