Trailing Arms
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Lusby MD
Trailing Arms
My buddy and I are finally working on the 66, and are having a heck of a time getting the rotor off of the trailing arm assembly. Any tricks of the trade?
Also, taking the calipers off, they are messed up. Recommendations for either repair/replace? I've read some horror stories here concerning that job, don't want to repeat.
Also, taking the calipers off, they are messed up. Recommendations for either repair/replace? I've read some horror stories here concerning that job, don't want to repeat.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Re: Trailing Arms (Sonar)
Are the original rotors still riveted to the spindle flange? If so, you'll have to drill out the rivets to remove the rotors - the Shop Manual shows the procedure. Best bet on the calipers is to get rebuilt/SS-sleeved calipers from Vette Brakes or Van Steel. :thumbs:
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 442
From: Southwest MI
Re: Trailing Arms (Sonar)
"Any tricks of the trade?" Yup, many ! 1st, you can't hope to get proper rear brake performance unless your rear bearing clearances and combined spindle/rotor runout is in spec. Are your rear bearings in good shape? have you had the bearings worked recently?
My advice, and this may sound drastic initally, but......
You'd be time/money ahead (in the long run) if you just send the complete T-arms to Vansteel for a rebuild. I know what you're thinking.... but they'll come back like new, with new bushings, bearings, seals, rotor runout in spec, etc etc....... do it once, and do it right, then they're set for another 40 years :-). It may sound expensive, but there's a lot to be said about only working on the arms once, and having them setup RIGHT by T-arm professionals (not all "bearing jobs" are equal ! )
http://www.vansteel.com
:seeya
[Modified by 66427-450, 1:09 PM 10/6/2003]
My advice, and this may sound drastic initally, but......
You'd be time/money ahead (in the long run) if you just send the complete T-arms to Vansteel for a rebuild. I know what you're thinking.... but they'll come back like new, with new bushings, bearings, seals, rotor runout in spec, etc etc....... do it once, and do it right, then they're set for another 40 years :-). It may sound expensive, but there's a lot to be said about only working on the arms once, and having them setup RIGHT by T-arm professionals (not all "bearing jobs" are equal ! )
http://www.vansteel.com
:seeya
[Modified by 66427-450, 1:09 PM 10/6/2003]
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Lusby MD
Re: Funny you mention that
There's an outfit in VA that rebuilds trailing arms, and other suspension parts and I was going to toss my old ones in the back of the truck and drop them off. Now here's a question, the guy can tear mine apart and redo everything, including ss parking brake parts, or I can give him mine and pick up a pair ready to go, proper colors, etc.. Since my nums match is this a good idea, or does NCRS get upset with that kind of thing. If anyone is interested I'll give you the guys address. My buddy got his info from Carlisle recently.
