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Topic: Trailing Arms - when to replace

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


Trailing Arms - when to replace

Posted: 11/16/04 6:37pm Message 1 of 10
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ORLANDO, FL - USA
Joined: 12/11/2002
Posts: 459
Vette(s): 1980 L82 Dark Metallic Green Coupe, Gymkhana Suspension, AM/FM/CB, GM ZZ383....nice....
OK I have read lots of threads on trailing arms and it seems that lots of folks have the originals on for 30+ years or a couple hundred thousand miles. I planned to replace mine this fall but it looks like it may not work out. My car seems to ride well. Is it best to just replace these do to age (25yrs / 110K miles) or wait until there is some obvious sign of a problem. How much of an improvement on the ride does new T arms make?


 
1980 L82 (5069 made), Dark Green Metalic (844 made)
Gymkhana Suspension, AM/FM/CB, Sporting a ZZ383......... 
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Trailing Arms - when to replace

Posted: 11/16/04 7:16pm Message 2 of 10
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KEYPORT, NJ - USA
Joined: 7/6/2002
Posts: 493
Vette(s): 1973 Stingray Coupe and C5 and C6 Coupes.

You really don't need to replace the trailing arms themselves unless they are severely rusted or damaged.

What needs to be replaced is the bushings and the wheel bearings which wear over time.

If you're not seeing any obvious wear in the bushing and not seeing any abnormal wear in the tires you are probably O.K.

Rubber parts do disintegrate over time and varying degrees of driving impact the bearings.

With the right care there is no reason they won't last for many many years.

But 20-25 years and it is probably a good thing to put them on the list for scheduled maintenance and/or replacement just as a matter of good practice.

If yours look O.K. and you aren't seeing any problems there is no reason to be overly concerned.


Trailing Arms - when to replace

Posted: 11/16/04 7:37pm Message 3 of 10
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20226
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I agree. If they'r not rusted, bent, or broke, use them. New bushings are really all you should ever need to relace. The bearings go into a separate "spindle support", so if the bearings go bad, it doesn't really require replacing the whole t-arm. |hammer| |hammer| |thumb| |thumb| |wavey|


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Trailing Arms - when to replace

Posted: 11/16/04 10:00pm Message 4 of 10
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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
this is an item that I have done myself but I prefer to let a professional do.

escpecially since I want the arm dipped and reconditoned.

bairs does this for 249.99 (maybe less if i can talk them into using my new ss brake kit)

anyone know a good trailing arm rebuild service for less..

vansteel is almost 50$ more each..


Trailing Arms - when to replace

Posted: 11/17/04 2:16am Message 5 of 10
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East Hanover, NJ - USA
Joined: 9/25/2004
Posts: 525
Vette(s): '68 Black Conv. Matching 327/300 4 Spd. P/S, P/B, P/W, Tele, A/C
Fla-V,

I guess it depends on your time table. If you are in a hurry, I learned the hard way that it is easier to buy a complete training arm assembly (arm, spindle, e-brake, rotor) as opposed to trying to separate 30+ year old parts. I had only one bad arm, but I decided to replace both while I was under there.

I went with the rebuilt units from Corvette Central which were $400 ($650 - $250 core charge) & I had them in rather quickly.

If you have the time, send them out to a rebuilder for what appears to be a good amount less.

I also learned to be prepared to replace any other parts that your initial repair comes in contact with i.e. shims, bolts, shock mounts etc.

My 2 cents,

Anthony


Trailing Arms - when to replace

Posted: 11/17/04 2:25am Message 6 of 10
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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
time isnt a big issue..

this pig wont be running again for at least a year


Trailing Arms - when to replace

Posted: 11/17/04 5:41am Message 7 of 10
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Annandale, NJ - USA
Joined: 10/14/2003
Posts: 221
Vette(s): 1979 White/Black
I just had my trailing arms rebuilt by Bair's. He even sends you shipping boxes that you use to ship the arms to him. Not a bad deal at all. Give him a try you won't be disappointed. |thumb|


Trailing Arms - when to replace

Posted: 11/17/04 10:07am Message 8 of 10
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ORLANDO, FL - USA
Joined: 12/11/2002
Posts: 459
Vette(s): 1980 L82 Dark Metallic Green Coupe, Gymkhana Suspension, AM/FM/CB, GM ZZ383....nice....
Have not heard yet, any improvement to ride quality for those that have changed it out?

Or is it more peace of mind knowing that it is one less old part that can fail when you are far from home.


 
1980 L82 (5069 made), Dark Green Metalic (844 made)
Gymkhana Suspension, AM/FM/CB, Sporting a ZZ383......... 

Trailing Arms - when to replace

Posted: 11/21/04 4:25pm Message 9 of 10
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Pompton Lakes, NJ - USA
Joined: 2/13/2003
Posts: 65
Vette(s): 1979 Coupe
Just had mine done....... one trailing arm was so worn (broken weld, bent...)that I ate $100 of the core charge..(Bairs....great people, and the cheapest price that I found...)

As for the results (I had the entire rear suspension re-done..both trailing arms, all new bushings, rotors, wheel bearings, shocks, 6 universals, half-shafts, strut rods, and re-buit the differential.......I also had the entire front suspension redone in Feb.)... The car now handles like it's on rails!!!!!! Even if I point it where it's not supposed to go, it goes there, and stays flat doing it!

In short, in the condition my car was in, the change is huge!

Roy


Trailing Arms - when to replace

Posted: 11/22/04 1:04am Message 10 of 10
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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
well i was planning to send these off, but when I dug my trialing arms out of the pile they didnt look nearly as bad as I remebered..

Ill probably wind up doing this myself..

but bairs was the cheapest I could find also..


in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


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