Trailing arm bolts

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

May 17, 2005 | 09:53 AM

dmrodco

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 1,887

Likes: 1

From: Hill AFB area Utah

Trailing arm bolts

Ok so I ve read a few post on removing trailing arms. Now having said that It looks to me that if you were to push them out, assuming they are not frozen they will hit the frame. Am I correct or is it just really close ? thanks all

May 17, 2005 | 09:59 AM

startwith80vette

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 870

Likes: 2

From: Closter New Jersey

i remember the first time i tried to take them out, i didnt think it was possible, its a pain but they can come out, the real fun begins when you are trying to to put them back into get them out i use a hammer and screwdriver and tapped it out, and when it got too deep i used a socket extension

May 17, 2005 | 10:57 AM

Van Steel

Premium Supporting Vendor

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 4,312

Likes: 70

From: Clearwater FL

When you are taking the t-arms out, don't remove the bolt all the way. Leave it dangling and you push it through when your ready. If you need to replace them, than thats a different story. Find a kid w/small hands and you'll be in good shape.

Also, put neversieze on the bolt. It's a life saver.

May 17, 2005 | 11:08 AM

BerniesVette

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 2,662

Likes: 8

From: Knoxville Tennessee

Put the trailing arm on a floor jack, jack it into position and use long needle nose pliers to start the bolt thru the frame and trailing arm. Then use a long screwdriver or pry bar to push the bolt completely thru. The jack allows you to move the trailing arm to align it with the holes in the frame. Good luck!
Bernie

May 17, 2005 | 11:37 AM

brooksman9

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 1,097

Likes: 0

From: Olive Branch MS

St. Jude Contributor

And then there is the fishing line method. Worked great for me. Run line through frame, arm, frame, tie to bolt and pull it through.

May 17, 2005 | 11:47 AM

mandm1200

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 2,672

Likes: 1

From: New Cumberland PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmrodco

will hit the frame. Am I correct or is it just really close ? thanks all

There is enough room for them to come out. Like others said, it's a little tight getting them back in. What helped for me was once I got the bolt in the TA started, I held the bolt and slid the TA toward the inside of the pocket. Then pushed on the bolt and slid the TA towards the outside. Repeated this until the head of the bolt came out the other end. Grabbed the end of the bolt with pliers and repeated this once more until the threaded portion came out and the nut could be started. The final step took 3 hands, one hand pushing the bolt, one hand sliding the TA, and one hand pulling the end of the bolt. Unless you're like me, 3 hands; you'll need an assistant.