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Topic: Trailing Arms

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components

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Trailing Arms (1/9)
5/5/08 8:38am

MikeMc71
Former Member
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Tucson, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1970 White L-46 Air Roadster, 1971 White LT1 Coupe, 1971 Red Auto Air Coupe, 383 stroker, 430 HP, 2002 Millennium Yellow Auto Coupe

Joined: 10/7/2007
Posts: 341

Ok gents (and ladies), here is the situation.

Here I am in beautiful, rust (almost) free Arizona. The trailing arms in my wifes car need to be rebuildt, and I am in the process of removing them. I get all the parts disconnected and have the arms just hanging there, the book says "remove the nuts and pins, and remove the arm". It DID NOT say what to do if the bolts are rusted in, which in this case they are. I have tried a bigger wrench, liquid wrench, heat, and next to metal blades for my sawsall.

Are there any tricks or tips I am not aware of? Any help from the rust belt would be great. This is the only car we have NOT from Arizona, it doesn't have a lot of ruct, but what it does have makes it a real pain in the trailing arm.

Thanks!!

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Trailing Arms (2/9)
5/5/08 9:13am

tuxblacray

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Greensburg, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...

Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188

If they are that rusty do you really want to put them back?

Cut em off... save some time and aggrevation. Besides the Sawzall is so much fun to run....

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Trailing Arms (3/9)
5/5/08 9:13am

Ron 78

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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA

Vette(s):

Joined: 7/19/2003
Posts: 3808

The sawz-all is the most popular way to go ,you don't want to use a torch,there is a brake line hiding back there on the drivers side LOL

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Trailing Arms (4/9)
5/5/08 11:27am

Yes I noticed the brake line AND the fuel lines running through there. I have replacement bolts, bushings, etc. I am going to replace everything, but use the old arms if they turn out to be serviceable. Thanks!

OH....any sawsall blade recomendations? They are grade 8 bolts, I believe.

MikeMc712008-05-05 08:32:10

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Trailing Arms (5/9)
5/5/08 7:22pm

dwright
Standard Member
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Victor, NY - USA

Vette(s):
2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe

Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6836

carbide coated blade should do it.

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Trailing Arms (6/9)
5/5/08 10:17pm

lukesvette

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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.

Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

I bought the longest blades I could find made by Milwaukee. As they dulled, I snapped off the end section and voila! - New balde to keep on cutting!!

If you want a really beautifully rebuilt Trailing arm, try Jim Stevens at 608-365-0911. Great work, great prices and one helluva great guy!! Been dealing with him for 5 years now and referred him to dozens of folks!! Tell him C3VR sent you. Jim will do the right thing by you!! Thumbs%20Up

Good luck,

Paul

LukesVette2008-05-05 19:20:30

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Trailing Arms (7/9)
5/5/08 10:22pm

greypoupon69

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Irving, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks. #2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.

Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4273

One of mine had to be cut off, the other one was ok. That is the way to go..........good luck! Big%20smile

Get-er-done!

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Trailing Arms (8/9)
5/5/08 10:35pm

lbbounder
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Florence, KY - USA

Vette(s):
1977 Coupe; yellow, 4 speed, one option car with original engine

Joined: 9/9/2007
Posts: 143

I cut the bolt on either side of the trailing arm then used a porta-power to push the stubs out. Used the old trailing arm as a core and replaced the entire unit. My understanding is it takes a lot of speciality to rebuild/replace the bearings.

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1977 Coupe

gone but not forgotten
1996 Grand Sport

1984 coupe
1974 coupe
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Trailing Arms (9/9)
5/6/08 11:59am

Thanks all for the advice. There is a gent here locally who is a Corvette Guru, he is the guy all the local shops go to to get ANY Vette work done (he has been doing it for over 40 years), and he happens to be a friend of mine! He has all the proper tooling, etc.

Maybe he will teach me some wisdom to pass on, one can only hope.............thanks again!!

MikeMc712008-05-06 08:59:26

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