Another Trailing Arm dilema
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 89
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From: Clayton North Carolina
Another Trailing Arm dilema
Getting ready to remove my trailing arms this weekend and hoping to get some advice/encouragement. I originally was goint to rebuild/repalce everything, but decided foolishly not to repalce the trailing arm bushings. I have removed and bought new/refurbished (from Van Steel) rear wheel spindles, calipers, rotors, e-praks etc and was just going to cleanup and install them back in the original trailing arms. decided to repalce the fiberglass spring bushing and bolts, spring needed adjustment and bolts were frozen. When I cut the bolts out and freed up the spring from the trailing arms is when I noticed that the trailing arms have side to side movement of almost a 1/2 inch.
Does this mean the bushings are shot??
I can get them out, but how difficult is it to repalce the bushings?
Any help or quidance would be greatly appreciated. I searched other threads, but not much is stated except it's a difficult task. Are there places that will remove and install new bushings for you? i live in the eastern shore Maryland area.
Thanks
Does this mean the bushings are shot??
I can get them out, but how difficult is it to repalce the bushings?
Any help or quidance would be greatly appreciated. I searched other threads, but not much is stated except it's a difficult task. Are there places that will remove and install new bushings for you? i live in the eastern shore Maryland area.
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
... When I cut the bolts out and freed up the spring from the trailing arms is when I noticed that the trailing arms have side to side movement of almost a 1/2 inch.
Does this mean the bushings are shot??
I can get them out, but how difficult is it to repalce the bushings?
Any help or quidance would be greatly appreciated. I searched other threads, but not much is stated except it's a difficult task. Are there places that will remove and install new bushings for you? i live in the eastern shore Maryland area.
Thanks
Does this mean the bushings are shot??
I can get them out, but how difficult is it to repalce the bushings?
Any help or quidance would be greatly appreciated. I searched other threads, but not much is stated except it's a difficult task. Are there places that will remove and install new bushings for you? i live in the eastern shore Maryland area.
Thanks
If you are doing all that work back there, why not replace the bushings. You can use poly on the trailing arms, they just slip in. Getting the old bushings out will be the hardest part. Rubber bushings must be compressed and the center sleeve flared. I've never done this part but I know that the guys who do it often have fabricated special tools for the job.
People debate on this forum from time to time about poly vs. rubber for the T/A bushings. If you want rubber, perhaps one of the vendors who does T/As will send you a set of bare arms, all painted and with bushings installed, in exchange for your cores and some $$.
My 2c
Cheers,
Chris
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
Stinger12 makes an excellent bushing flaring tool if you decide to go the rubber route. You may want to research some other threads regarding the pros and cons of poly bushings.
I personally prefer the rubber because they flex and do not ride as harsh as the poly. But it depends on what you want in ride and handling quality.
I personally prefer the rubber because they flex and do not ride as harsh as the poly. But it depends on what you want in ride and handling quality.
