C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Trailing arm bushing question.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 3, 2020 | 10:30 PM
  #1  
Mobifire's Avatar
Mobifire
Thread Starter
Advanced
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 82
Likes: 10
From: Ohio
Default Trailing arm bushing question.

With halfshaft, strut rods, shocks off, should the trailing arm be able to be rocked back and forth (top goes in, bottom goes out) with all the shims in. Or are my bushings bad?

Edit: the bushing stays put. But the trailing arm moves in it.

Last edited by Mobifire; Jul 3, 2020 at 10:37 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2020 | 11:45 PM
  #2  
CanadaGrant's Avatar
CanadaGrant
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
Default

Not quite sure on your description but if you are saying that you can twist your trailing arms by hand on a vertical axis then your bushings are past gone. Since you have everything disconnected, this would be the time.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2020 | 01:30 AM
  #3  
Mobifire's Avatar
Mobifire
Thread Starter
Advanced
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 82
Likes: 10
From: Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by CanadaGrant
Not quite sure on your description but if you are saying that you can twist your trailing arms by hand on a vertical axis then your bushings are past gone. Since you have everything disconnected, this would be the time.
okay let me try to clarify. I can flex the entire trailing without anything connected to it. The bushing can move in the cavity. It is shimmed and ready to go. The TA flexes while the bushing stays still. Also, i forgot to mention i just put new bushings on it. Did i not get them on far enough? The trailing arm doesnt flex in and out but like a bad wheel bearing. You can grab it (with some force) and basically twist it back and forth. Sorry if im confusing. Not good at explaining things.

Last edited by Mobifire; Jul 4, 2020 at 01:34 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2020 | 01:36 AM
  #4  
firstgenaddict's Avatar
firstgenaddict
Burning Brakes
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 410
Default

The trailing arm will move in a somewhat spherical motion.
The movement is not strictly up and down the arm twists in the bushings slightly as well, because of the squat of the car there is some radial action.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2020 | 05:38 AM
  #5  
4-vettes's Avatar
4-vettes
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,148
Likes: 7,763
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Default

There should be no, NONE, forward, aft. Movement. However, the arm must have some movement or how could your suspension work?
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2020 | 11:38 AM
  #6  
leigh1322's Avatar
leigh1322
Old Pro Solo Guy
Supporting Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 8,014
Likes: 4,369
From: Marlton NJ
Default

Did you torque it down yet?

The front of the T/A should not move at all (1) Vertically, or (2) Sideways (Left/Right) or (3) Front/Rear. Once it is tightened down. And the front T/A bushing should only be torqued down when both the T/A arm and the half-shaft are in their normal level ride-height position. Or the bushing will tear.

However you should be able to (1) lift the rear of the T/A Up/Down; and also (2) rotate the front of the T/A at the bushing like a clock. It should rotate to maybe 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock. Now both this rotation motion and lifting motion should be somewhat stiff, not loose. Because you are actually flexing the rubber in these two cases.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Trailing arm bushing question.





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:50 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE