Set up the Yakima Sidewinder on Mrs WPH's 2002 Corolla today. The Sidewinder swings open to the starboard side of the car (passenger side in N America, driver side in Australia) as it comes out of the box. This means tho' that you have to lift the timing/synch chain OVER the rear clamping mechanism to get the bike on the rack, which is not something I want to do with a 20kg tandem looming overhead if I can avoid it.

I unbolted the swing-arm (very stiff 3/4in nylock), greased the threads, bushes and washers and re-assembled so that the arm swings to port now.

Getting the bike on the car still takes some concentration but it is easier than before and I can do it single-handed no worries. The whole assembly is stiff and secure. The Sidewinder itself is a beast, very solidly built, really too big and heavy to leave on the car all the time. Luckily removal and reinstallation is quick and easy (10 mins max).

I would recommend anybody getting the Sidewinder to set it up to open to the port side of the vehicle so that it is not necessary to lift the timing chain over the rear clamp.