chrisNY

I was driving home from work on the highway, planning the rear end rebuild to stop the weeping on the rear diff, and herd a crack, thought a brake pad cracked, next thing I knew, my rear passengers side wheel was rolling by me, lost control of the car, got her to the shoulder to see what happened and it was horrible

tore off the passenger side quarter panel


the spindle itself broke


saved some of my quarter


my biggest problem is why did it break, do I just replace the spindle on the passenger side?? is the drivers side going to go too anytime?? should I replace the whole trailing arm assemble at a grand a side?? just to be sure, from what I have seen its a big job with tools I don't have and plan on investing in for a one time job. any suggestions? words advice, would be greatfully appreciated. more pics to come as I get her moved in the garage to see what really happened.

one good thing I didn't rebuild everything else like I was planning and then next spring have this happen, kinda good it happened now I guess, but just broke my heart when I saw the rear wheel go flying by on the highway

CVO2FIXUP

I hope there is a real good explanation to what happened. This type of thing gives me nightmares. That's all in am going to see now when I am driving my Ray, the rear wheel passing me. Or the brand new tire blowing up and taking half the car with it.

terrys6t8roadster

Ouch!!!Shop all vendors for best price. I'm sure other members will chime in on their TA purchases. Yes the other side will need rebuilding for trouble free service. The bearings should be serviced at a regular interval. 30 to 40k, fronts also @20k or less. Also in NY I'm sure there are shops that can rebuild your TAs. T

Tooonz

Just one more chalk up for " weird things just happen this time in October" 3rd week in October for me should be the time to put it away, although I'm hoping for a last hoorah this weekend with nice temps. ( fingers crossed ) Good thing you weren't hurt, these cars are old and another good reason for not driving ours it like I stole it lol.

That would have crushed me for sure, good luck with your rebuild.

chrisNY

thanks, I haven't found any local shops that want to rebuild them, does anyone know what it takes to get the spindles back in, I always do all my own work anyway and don't mind doing it, but not sure of I would need. and thank goodness no one was hurt, even the rear wheel rolling down the highway didn't cause any problems, it road the divider for about 200 feet until it stopped, and didn't even fall into traffic

keithinspace

Really stinks to see damage to your car. In all honesty, it could have been a lot worse...had all the mangled fiberglass torn up and getting into the rear window and such. Looks like a fairly clean seam pop.

To the positive, it looks like a GREAT time to start a rear end rebuild project!

Personally, I would tackle the mate to this part on the other side. No question. No reason to replace the trailing arm if its in good shape...just rebuild everything. Bearings, bushings, etc.

Doug Kraft

When I broke my pass spindle it was out closer to the lugs. I was pulling out of a store when I also heard a loud crack and the cars rear end dropped. Flashers on, get out to take a look and the only thing holding the wheel on was the rotor that got wedged in the brake caliper. Got real lucky that my friend was going by in his rollback. We put a 2 ton jack under the shock mount got it winched up onto his truck and back to his shop.
Got really lucky that there wasn't any body damage because of that caliper which now is drained,cleaned and has a place of honor on the work bench.

chrisNY

did you replace both sides? new TA assemble or just replace the spindles, bearings, shims, etc?

Mike Ward

Without a doubt the other side needs rebuilding. I always recommend rebuilding if it's been more than about 30K miles or the owner 'just doesn't know' since the last time.

This is not a simple do it yourself job like front wheels bearings. Unless you're going to buy the disassemby, measuring and reassembly tools, farm it out.

brent319

Wow. As much as that truly does suck, I think I would try to dwell on now friggin lucky you are that you got out of it as well as you did.
Having said that, sorry about the damage. At least you have all winter to sort it out.

chrisNY

I don't plan on investing in all the specialty tools to do it, but I don't know where to start to find a shop to do it, or just bite the bullet and get the new assembly

70BBvert

If there's no one local to do the repair you can always pull both trailing arms and send them out to be rebuilt.

Bairs, Vette Brakes along with a bunch of other places offer this service. I did mine myself with borrowed tools, but I've heard nothing but good comments about Bairs work.

Good luck

Jim

Go Vette Go

First - sorry about the damage to your car! I would be mortified!!!!!

I would suggest you get BOTH trailing arms rebuilt. I am north of Philly and use Bair's Corvette in western PA!!! They have great service and are great people to work with. Call them and they will send you shipping boxes for your trailing arms!

John

Z06FEVER

I can't believe what I am seeing!! I am sorry to hear about the damage of your car, this is terrible!!!

briankeery

At about $1000-$1200 a side for me to replace those TA's, plus another $1000-$1500 to redo the differential while in there.......never mind the bodywork.......I might have just lit a match and walked away. Good luck over the winter, you'll be busy.

doorgunner

Or..........do it yourself if you have good mechanical abilities and a long weekend.

Racingswh

I love these cars. My favorite Vettes. That said these cars are maturing and all of them should have these changed out. Metal fatigues with time and use. This is the result. I have seen this type of failure many times as track use accelerates the rate of fatigue to failure. Glad you are ok.

chrisNY

I am going to do everything myself that I can, the body work, paint, which I will think about after, but I am confident on that side, know a great body shop that will match the paint, and will fix, prep and paint it myself. the TA's is what's worrying me, was planning on redoing the diff seals, u joints, and tranny tail seal anyway, now I am going to do both rear calipers, because one is still on my passenger wheel lol, and it broke the cast when it tore off, rear hard lines, and rubber ones, TA bushings, blast and repaint those, I think I will order the rear spindle assembly complete with the e brakes, but no rotor, just not sure what kinda core charge I will get back with the broke spindle but we will see, and the list will go on and on. but in the end there wont be anything left on the rear that wont be new, total cost I don't even want to think about, but its not about how much money I put in her, I will most likely never sell her, so might as well do it right and feel safe

chrisNY

that's the main thing no one got hurt, and it was a eye opener that's for sure, I have looked at the spindle where it broke, and almost looks like a dark spot in the steal where it snapped, thinking that it was a weak spot in it, but better it happened now than after I rebuilt the rest of the batwing assembly and than have the spindle snap

Cavu2u

Doug,

You are obviously a God fearing, church going Christian.

Steve