Question on trailing arms
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 37
From: Catoosa Okla
Question on trailing arms
I pulled my rear end yesterday to remove 40 years of gunk and freshen up the rubber while doing a ring and pinion change. I already know from reading the pain in the hoo-ha these trailing arms can be. Anyway, once the rear end was out I began checking the arms out. They are tight, and there is no cracking on the rubber with NO movement in, out up or down except I can move them side to side, but since they are housed in rubber, I presume that's normal. I watched a Youtube video on what a hosed trailing arm looked and felt like. Mine are NOTHING like that. What say you?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 315
From: Belmont Michigan
Do your trailing arms still have the original 40 year old bearings and grease in them yet? I kind of went through this on my '75 project when I bought it. Didn't look like the t/a's were ever touched, but it was a 60,000 mile car. I thought I'd just get it on the road and see, but when I went to replace the bushings in the strut rods, I discovered that a mouse had made a home in the driver's side housing, and had pizzed all inside it for some time. Actually made a small rust hole in the arm. The strut rod sleeve was rusted solid to the shock mount and I had to cut it out. I replaced both sides with nice rebuilt arms and certainly have peace of mind now for many miles to come. 
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,555
Likes: 7,006
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
This rookie hates to say it......but, if there is no new grease in those wheel bearings after 40 years.......
you could be setting yourself up for some expensive repairs that could be avoided with a couple day's work and $5 worth of bearing grease.
you could be setting yourself up for some expensive repairs that could be avoided with a couple day's work and $5 worth of bearing grease.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 7
From: Surrey British Columbia
Short term pain for long term gain. It would royally suck to get the car back on the road and have something in the rear pile up on you. Then you'd be kicking yourself saying "Jeez, I should have done the complete rear end when I had the chance."
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 37
From: Catoosa Okla
Ok Guys. I have read so many stories about the horror's of trailing arms. Last week, I went ahead and pulled the rear end for a gear change and freshening up and dropped the fuel tank to prep it for the LS1 fuel pump. While there, I was thinking about the 40 year old grease that I keep getting reminded of in the trailing arm wheel bearing. I need to pull them, but for the last few weeks all I have had the guts to do is keep hosing the two back bolts with PB Blaster. The fear of this job is worse than going to the dentist. This weekend, I'm going to have to tackle it. I have a friend with a shop and a lot of experience in Vettes, I just need to get them to him. Wish me luck!
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,555
Likes: 7,006
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
You can do it...take your time...
Take before/after pics for reassembly memories...pics don't forget placement.....(I wish I would have take beforepics of each section)!
Rebuild one arm first....then the other arm will be easier to do.
This rookie was SCARED....but managed to get it done...it seems much simpler once the first one is completed!
Now I WILL BE repacking wheel bearings at regular intervals since my car will be a daily driver.
Check out my thread...it's not thorough because there are many well-documented rear suspension rebuild threads already posted...I just documented the general work. And thanks to the members with detailed documentation!
Take before/after pics for reassembly memories...pics don't forget placement.....(I wish I would have take beforepics of each section)!
Rebuild one arm first....then the other arm will be easier to do.
This rookie was SCARED....but managed to get it done...it seems much simpler once the first one is completed!
Now I WILL BE repacking wheel bearings at regular intervals since my car will be a daily driver.
Check out my thread...it's not thorough because there are many well-documented rear suspension rebuild threads already posted...I just documented the general work. And thanks to the members with detailed documentation!
Last edited by doorgunner; Feb 28, 2014 at 10:32 AM.
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