I just re-installed my diff and crossmemeber, and now need to install the rebuilt trailing arms. I sent them off and they sent rebuilt ones back. When I removed the shims, I had an extra one left over and I'm not sure where it was from, so I'm going to have to start from scratch with the shims. I've looked through a lot of threads. Is there a well known documented thread on how to do this? On some of the other issues I've had, everyone has referenced one or two very solid references on threads that explain the process, but I haven't found one yet for this part.

Help and advice is much appreciated.

 

Put roughly a equal amount of shims on each side of the trailing arm bushing. Use a thick one for the last one in. And you should need to tap it into place.
Now go straight to the alighnment shop. Or, start your measuring.

 

Hello,
I agree with 4-v.... straight to the alignment shop.
BUT.... it must be a shop that knows how to do an alignment on a 50 year old Corvette.
It's likely your car is older than anyone working in the shop and it's possible that no one at the shop has done a rear alignment on a 68-82 Corvette.
Ask FIRST.
Regards.....

 

How much is three trips to the alignment shop worth to you? That's one trip, one trip back when they screw up, and a third trip to a different shop, before you give up and do it yourself anyway.

I bet it's worth enough to buy the tools to do it yourself correctly the first time.

Read this thread, and have at it!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nt-method.html

 

Keep in mind some things that affect alignment, the thickness of the new bushings will not be the same as the old ones. Plus, if the sleeve flare was not ground flat it will affect the shimming.

 

Great info above.

the option i went with

https://www.ebay.com/itm/28177921326...3ABFBMlNvrldpm

 

Thanks for the information. I was hoping for info about installing all the other components as well. Tips and tricks on what to install first, making sure I don't forget a spacer or washer (especially if my car didn't have it in the first place). I found video on youtube from one of the vette suppliers, but it's from the late 90's, and sometimes better methods have been found).

 

If you trailing arms have been rebuilt, the hard part has been done.😄 The thing that makes the install tricky is the shear weight of the complete arm, which you have to manoeuvre into the "pocket" in the frame. I watched a few videos before I did ours a few years ago and found those by Gary Vosberg to be very helpful. (Just search YouTube) There are a few things that are not relevant, but the overall concept was good. He had the car on a lift, so was able to use a rather nifty tool to hold the arm and move it into place. Working on the floor, I used a trolley jack to hold the arm and put it up into the pocket. I'm guessing you have bought new pivot bolts? If not, do so. They should come with the washers etc that you'll need. Remember not to torque them down until the car is aligned and on the ground. (in my case I put the car's weight on the trailing arm by jacking it up, then torqued the nuts, I couldn't get to them with the wheels in place.)

I think I did things like brake line connections, hand brake etc before I re-connected the drive-shafts. I connected the spring last I believe - I have a composite spring which makes life a lot easier!

I'd anticipated it being a bit of a nightmare job, but in fact it wasn't bad at all. The worst part was doing bearings and stuff, but if you have that all done you are way ahead of the game!👍

Incidentally, I did the alignment myself, using a "string" method, much like setting up a race car. There is a lot of stuff talked about chassis centres etc, but in reality using lines down each side of the car gives perfect alignment when done correctly.🙂

 

Thanks for the info. I'm definitely open to aligning it myself because my experience with shops of all kinds has been taken to almost zero. Also, I have changed to adjustable camber rods, so I'm told that should be helpful also.

 

When i was going through the files and photos I have on the PC here re the trailing arm job, I came across this article:

https://www.corvettemagazine.com/196...t-replacement/

I seem to recall that I referred to this when I did mine and reading through, there are some good tips. As I was fitting new TAs the old shim count was not very useful as the new bushes were different. I stated off with an equal number of shims on each side, more on the inside of the arms than the outside, and popping a thin one in first. You should need to tap in the last shim with a small "toffee hammer". Be sure to note the actual width of all the new shims you are using, thick, medium and thin, as you'll need to work out the total thickness to make alignment changes. I would need to go through old emails to get the exact process, but I probably did more measuring and calculations before I removed and added shims than I needed to, as I only had 1 set of shims to work with and couldn't afford to wast any "making up" widths! The up-side was that once I had worked out what I needed in relation to what I had put in initially, I only needed two attempts to get the alignment perfect.

 

if helpful my journey on replacing and alignment with all the help from this forum. I used an alignment shop chain. as mentioned you need to be sure someone there is capable and bring extra shims. I bought the year package which is unlimited alignments. makes it nice for multiple repairs that effect alignment.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-advice-2.html

 

Thank you for the replies and links.

 

Best pro tip I can offer regards the installation of the pivot bolt that secures the front of the arm in the chassis pocket. The bolt should have a cotterpin hole in the end. Thread a long piece of dental floss through the outside hole then the trailing arm bushing and the inside holes in the chassis pocket and tie the floss to the end of the bolt. Use the floss to help you guide the tip of the bolt into and through the frame hole and trailing arm. Works great and saves a ton of time and cussing. 👍🏻