lastcaveman

How do you tell if your trailing arm is bad ?

MelWff

the bushing where it connects to the frame is worn or the arm itself is rusted to the point where you can punch a hole in it with a screwdriver.

lastcaveman

Can I check for movement on the wheel or do I have to take it apart ? cant get much of a visual

Alan 71

Hi lcm,
Are you asking about the trailing arm and it's bushing at the frame or the bearings and spindle that are part of the trailing arm?
What are you seeing (or reading) that's making you wonder?
Regards,
Alan

0Willcox Corvette

If you are wanting to check the bearings, you'll need to pull the half shafts and put a magnetic dial indicator on the flange. You pull the spindle backwards to back set the bearings, then pop it inward and see what the clearance is. Factory should be between 0 and 8 thousandths.

If you are wanting to check the front bushings, a visual examination will usually work, but you can remove the rear spring and half shafts and see how much play is in there.

Willcox

doorgunner

Quickie diagnosis.......

jack the car up.......
place jack stand in safe location/rear wheel off the ground.........
hold wheel at 12 o'clock/6 o'clock position....
rock wheel in and out/up and down.
Then do same at 9 and 3 o'clock.
Then check other rear wheel the same way.

Any movement/rattles/sqeeks means problems.

lastcaveman

Yes that is the problem. At 12 and 6 I have a lot of movement not so much at 3 and 9. also I plumbed up from the fender well and have 3/4 in. difference from one side to the other. the top of the tire is leaning in. I know I have a problem, just trying to understand how bad and if its a wheel bearing or trailing arm bushing or both.

terry82

If your not going to rebuild the trailing arms your self [ sent mine out]look for the best shop that is not to far away .the shipping gets expensive .each trailing arm is about 40pounds .80 pounds both ways adds up.

lastcaveman

I live in SW. Missouri and I`m new to the Corvette world so if anyone could direct me to someone in the area that could rebuild the trailing arms it would be greatly appreciated. LC

lastcaveman

After removing the TA. I found the front gromment was bad and the wheel side u joint is bad and the wheel bearing is out. Think those would cause a little noise inside while driving? I found this place Vtech Corvette, LLC in Illinois. anyone have any dealings with them? I`ll be sending it to them.