trailing arm rebuild
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
If you've got the time, tools, and the inclination...go for it. The Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual has complete details and instructions in Section 4 (Rear Suspension). You should review it and what is required before you decide to attempt it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 2
From: Huntingburg Indiana
I did mine a couple months ago. You will need a dial indicator and the spindle tools. They can be rented. It's no big deal. Take your time when setting up the bearings and take careful measurements. The hardest part will be getting the trailing arm bolts out. Anyone with mechanical ability can do it.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
From: Enid Oklahoma
Within a very short period the preload on the bearings will change. It is important to get it close, but a very good set of bearings if pulled and checked will be out of spec, but dont need changed. The important thing is to use the correct spacer. I have changed many many rear bearings in differnt neglected cars and never had one fail yet and did not use a bearing preload tool. Just my 2 cents.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 493
Likes: 2
From: Dunellen New Jersey
trailing arms are out.The mighty sawzall.I'm rebuilding the entire frame and buying rebuilt or having the trailing arms rebuilt I found to be a little over the top.I noticed a lot of rebuilding services are expensive.Even the front A arm rebuild is expensive.I rebuild dozens of the over the years,no big deal.I figure I'll take a shot at the rear T arms.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
What constitutes having your T/A's rebuilt? What are the obvious reasons? Mileage? Rust?, I think I may know a few, but I would like to hear from a couple of folks why/when this job should be considered.
Thx,
Thx,
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
i rebuilt mine just because the bearing were shot. i had the arms out of the car and figured what the hell, its not much more work.
glad i rebuilt them too. found the welds on one arm split wide open, and the arm being too far gone to save.
it really wasnt that hard of job. just took time, alot of hammer swings, and a ton of sand blasting.
glad i rebuilt them too. found the welds on one arm split wide open, and the arm being too far gone to save.
it really wasnt that hard of job. just took time, alot of hammer swings, and a ton of sand blasting.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
Doesn't matter how many tools you have, you will need to buy/rent/make some special tools to do the job right!
I rebuilt mine because they were original (1968, 82k miles), and the trailing arms were rusted. One side was almost devoid of grease and would've failed soon IMHO. Not a tough job if you have good reference materials/advice. Get a copy of the GM shop manual, and check out GTR1999's thread. Do a forum search if you get stumped
I used the shims from the kit, and got .0019 and .003 endplay, but I was lucky; once you are to the point of setting up your bearings, plan on ordering the exact shim thickness you need from Gary or Vtech.
Good luck!
I rebuilt mine because they were original (1968, 82k miles), and the trailing arms were rusted. One side was almost devoid of grease and would've failed soon IMHO. Not a tough job if you have good reference materials/advice. Get a copy of the GM shop manual, and check out GTR1999's thread. Do a forum search if you get stumped
I used the shims from the kit, and got .0019 and .003 endplay, but I was lucky; once you are to the point of setting up your bearings, plan on ordering the exact shim thickness you need from Gary or Vtech.
Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
I used Jacobs Corvette's Coraopolis, PA. 1-412-264-9151 Mr. Harvey I rebuilt one on my 80 and I needed all kinds of tools.. This guy will give you a warranty and they look wonderful. Give him a call to check prices. I think he's been in business for the last 25 years. Have a great day. Gene
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 1
From: west central INDIANA
I opted to send mine to Vtech corvette, Gary does fantastic work. Spindle end play came back @ .001, rotor runout was .002 & .0025 with my year old Slotted rotors from R1 concepts. Gary called me only after 5 days, I still cannot believe the Quality for $610 ( excluding shipping) including the $40 SS alignment shims, I bought from him. He through in the 2 long SS cotter pins, and gave me one of his Hats. Gary is great guy to deal with. Period. He knows his stuff. Check out these shots of his work.
