Well today we had the car up on the rack with the engine and tranny out, we went over the frame and found that the trailing arms need replaced as one of them is rotted and cracked.
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The other is a little worse but according to the welder from the body shop at Chevy dealer says that it can be fixed but it really had me worried. I didnt have my regular camera so I shot this with my cell (not a good pic)


For the most part the frame is in better then expected condition, all the brake lines are like new, brake hoses and shocks are all new but man all the bushings, the power steering and some other things need replaced. Todays total for parts $2400! Yikes!

 

Does anyone know where I can get the best price on trailing arms, stabilizer pins? and rear body mount bushings? If you sell these or know where to get the best prices let me know.

Thanks
Rob

 

Is that a crack or a factory seam?

 

Rob-

You do need new arms...

You'll save 10 percent off the parts in the forum special section if you use the sale coupon.... I think you'll find this makes for some real good prices.

This would make new trailing arms 121.50 ea....

http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...trailing%20arm

Or this link takes you to all the forum special prices for rear suspension. If you don't find what you need in here.. then go the middle box and search all categories.

Willcox

 

Rob....Wilcox is a good company,and very involved here,but a new trailing arm is the least of your worries right now.Find someone in the sectional pages close to you that knows these cars to help you evaluate your situation.That frame can be repaired,but to put it bluntly....it's junk w/out extensive repair that requires the body to come off,and the frame to be reinforced before you can start even cutting the damage out to replace the area/s....It will be cheaper to find another frame probably,and swap all the parts.

 

Where is the coupons at for the 10% off as I will buy them right away? Also is there anything else that I should replace or that I will need to give my mechanic when getting these arms? I wish I would of paid better attention to this as today I bought all new bushings, new power steering kit, new B & M tranny, Mallory ignition along with all new rubber.

Still need all new rubber seals for the car, planned on getting it from Steele Rubber but I am open to other options. Also need a complete replacement carpet, foam for my seats, need all the gauges refurbished and some other stuff. The way that I have all my stuff re-done I worry the most about what you dont see far before I worry about what you do see. I really believe that a paint job at 5K is fine but if the steering components are shot that paint job will not look good wrapped around a tree. This cars bushings were so gone that in many sections it was bone on bone with no rubber or very very little. I think that 1978 was the very last time this saw new rubber. Today we spend 4 hours going over the chasis with a GM welder and I was amazed how great the chassis was for the most part but there was one spot that I thought was going to ruin the entire thing. He told me that it was going to be tough to get to but no problem to do.

Thanks for your help and if you can get me the info on the other parts that I mentioned as well I will buy them all from you if you have them available.

Rob

 

Really? Do you think that it is that bad? We went completely over the frame and the guy that was there specializes in classic cars and he owns 2 Corvettes, he said that the repair is not simple but can be repaired without to many issues. So if I am reading you right your saying that I need to get a second opinion?

 

The whole cornet of the frame is gone,and would imagine there is other extensive damaged areas ,also,from the looks of this.This is the main structual area for all the rear suspension,and the torque your new 355,and B&M is going to transfer.
I don't know how to tell you in a nice way....all this money you are spending on these cool parts is useless on/for that car w/that frame....period.Remember i told you to check the kickups,and the the other areas?That is a wasted kickup,and pretty severe.That is the stuff that has these guys pulling the body off.
I am in NO way trying to belittle your guys skills,but I will say this.....I don't care who you are,or how long you have been repairing these cars,a great welder,or whatever.....this can't be repaired correctly,or even really that good of a repair,without pulling the body,pulling the suspension,building a jig,welding it up like fort knox,so it doesn't flex,THEN you can start cutting the damaged areas out,and welding in new sections.
Beat on the frame all under both doors w/a hammer all the way to the damaged area,and see what falls out the holes in the bottom.More than likely it will be large scale of rust.If so....sure it can be repaired.Anything can be repaired,but it will be cheaper to find another frame,and swap everything over.
I'm not trying to be mean,but maybe stop posting posts of how you can spend your money on parts,and take some time to see posts about frame damage,and repairs.Without a solid foundation...everything else means notta.You can weld scab patches of stell over it,and yes,it may hold for a few,but the problem isn't going to correct itself,and if the guy says he can fix it w/the body on the car.....i'd shop elsewhere.This is the most extensive repair there is on a old Corvette.
Also,look on the rockers above the frame on the body.They are probably toast too w/thje way this corner appears.They make all the repair areas,but the labor will kill you.
A second opinion isn't a bad thing.This forum, has a regional/sectional area.....ask for someone in your area that knows these cars to give you a honest evaluation.Most these guys are helpful.Offer to take him to a nice dinner,cover his gas,whatever.....

 

Kustom8 is absolutely right. If you took a sand blaster to that frame it will look like swiss cheese. The rest of it is so thin there is no integrity left in it. A replacement frame for that year in exc shape should be easy to find and will cost a lot less than trying to repair what you have. And when your done you will have a something other than a paper thin patched up frame. Find a used west coast, desert southwest frame and move it all over. Set the engine and all back into the frame then set the body on. You will save countless hours of expensive shop time this way as well.

Steve g

 

Well both of you seem very intelligent and for that I thank you. I will stop all thoughts of welding the frame. I have emailed a good friend that owns a body shop (he is going to paint the car) and I will get a quality frame and ship it to him and take him the car. I am not going to waste a penny on welding a frame that is not going to be safe. My greatest concern is safety over everything else as my daughter goes all over the place with me and lets face it a crash in fiberglass would be a nightmare.

Thanks again!

Rob

 

Kustom8 and Steve are right on the money!!!

If the frame is as bad as it appears to be in the pic. I would stop right there till ALL the frame issues are addressed.

 

Have seen this before.
Frame swap, suspension work, paint---wow---lots of $'s.
You may be ahead by finding another Corvette that is in very good condition, and sell the repair candidate (even if sold at a loss, you may well come out ahead in the end).
G.

 

This, Sir is the right attitude

I will not allow my wife in our new project until it's mechanically safe and built to the best of my abilities. We took one short ride down the street and back the day I got it and I told her "that's it... no more rides until it's ready". She completely understands and is happy I look at it like that.

 

The sale code is TENPERCENT....

However.. (Maybe it's my monitor resolution settings...) I didn't see any rot that warranted bailing.. But I did photoshop his photo and if the area in the circle is rotted... I have to say you should bail as well.

If I'm wrong, yes.. we have everything you need in stock. and you should give sales a call at 800-588-3883.

But if that corner is rotted off i can tell you from my own personal experience... bail. I see cars with this kind of damage about three times a year. Some elect to repair and the cost to weld in either a section or replace the entire frame can well exceed the value of the car. (I hope I'm wrong and this isn't rot)

 

Actually,I agree 100%,George.Rob just got the car,and already has rounded up alot of parts for the car,so I wasn't trying to shell shock him.It may be hard selling the car w/full disclosure on the frame issues.he only has 2k in the actual car,and that isn't too hard to recoup parting the car,but that route isn't for everyone,so I stayed silent,and just tried to stay to the frame issue.