Well, this has been coming for a while now. Between knowing that the trailing arm bushings should really be changed, a parking brake that hasn't worked in years and a now one noisy wheel bearing.......It's time.

I've owned this car since it was new, got it my senior year in high school, and for all the trouble the rear end is supposed to be in these cars this is the first service any of these parts have actually needed. The pictures, do a pretty good job of showing the sorry state of both the bushing at the front of the arms and the completely FROZEN parking brakes :o (hey, it's automatic ....who uses that anyway?)

I've been lucky anyway. Lot's of work done 10 years ago and not one single problem since so I guess I'm good with the idea of throwing a few bucks at my old car.

But....now I need some advice.

As you can see from the pictures the arms are out. Typical stuff the one came out in about 45 minutes and the second...... .......well, lets just say I got an earful of the typical, "You really should just sell the damn thing!" after an hour of my husband's "gentle" persuasion with a hammer and me reminding him how I've had the car longer than him.

Here's my question. I'm a pretty big believer in getting this stuff done right the first time and completely so I'm going in for totally rebuilt trailing arms from Vette Brake (they sold me all the suspension and steering parts last time we went through the steering, brakes, springs and sway bars) but to my surprise there were two ways to go, Stock arms or an "offset" trailing arm assembly that is supposed to offer more clearance for wider tires. This got me thinking about extra set of ZR1 style 17" wheels we have for my husband's Camaro.......might look and work pretty well on the Corvette.

Has anyone here used the Offset arms and what are your experiences?

The good and bad both would be greatly appreciated. I want to get either these arms or the stock arms coming my way before the end of the week.

Any and all opinions welcomed.

Thanks in advance.

 

If I had it to do over again I would have gone with the offset arms; just because I could get the wider tires on. I would use Van Steele, but that is just me; I know their work is flawless. The offset arms are stronger and don't have pockets where rust could start.
Bernie

 

What he said

 

I build them for VBP anyways. Send them to us.

 

Ordered stock arms from VBP yesterday.

It was a beautiful weekend and I was more than a little disappointed to see the car on jack stands in the garage.......with a little luck the arms will be here by Friday and the car can be in the alignment rack by Monday.

After looking at your site how-ever.......no doubt I'll be in contact with you for other needs in the future. Unfortunately, I only just now saw your post.

 

No rust on the arms now, after 27 years.

Up here in New England the car gets parked before the salt and sand would ever get a chance to do their thing anyway.

 

Here in Knoxville, we can drive all year! Maybe once or twice will we get a snow that requires salt. Any dry day is a good day to drive the Vette!
Bernie