assembling offset trailing arms. how hard?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Hanover Maryland
assembling offset trailing arms. how hard?
I found a place that has offset trailing arms for my 81. The only thing is they are not assembled. So if anyone has done this how hard would it be to assemble all the bearing and bushings. if not does anyone recomend a cheap place to get both sides.
Thanks, Joe
Thanks, Joe
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Eugene OR
All I can tell you is that my good friend (who also happens to be a professional wrench) told me to not even try... Of course that may have something to do with my hard-earned reputation as anything but a professional wrench 
From watching him I understand that the process involves much swearing and a lot of sparks as he ended up having to custom grind the shims.
I used the VanSteel offsets too. They worked out great!
BTW... Let me know if you need some extra shims. I think I have some lying around from that job.
Good Luck!
From watching him I understand that the process involves much swearing and a lot of sparks as he ended up having to custom grind the shims.
I used the VanSteel offsets too. They worked out great!
BTW... Let me know if you need some extra shims. I think I have some lying around from that job.
Good Luck!
Last edited by Schaggy; May 28, 2010 at 07:57 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 28
From: Long Beach CA
Schaggy is right. There is a set of special tools that are needed to select the right shims to get the proper end play in the axles. Without that, you have to select shims, press the assembly together, measure it, press it apart if it's not right, and start over again.
I believe you can send your current trailing arm assemblies to VanSteel and they will rebuild/grease the axle assemblies and install them in their offset trailing arms. That's the best way to go. They have the skill and expertise.
I believe you can send your current trailing arm assemblies to VanSteel and they will rebuild/grease the axle assemblies and install them in their offset trailing arms. That's the best way to go. They have the skill and expertise.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
The offset trailing arms are no harder to assemble than the non-offset trailing arms.
-W (glad I could help)
PS: You could just move the whole bearing carrier assembly over to the new arms. (assuming your bearings are fine)
-W (glad I could help)
PS: You could just move the whole bearing carrier assembly over to the new arms. (assuming your bearings are fine)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Hanover Maryland
so i might be better off going with these http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...p=1810&ID=2424
Then all the works done, and does anyone know if this is a core price where ill have to send them mine. or are these all new and i get to keep my trailing arm assemblies
Then all the works done, and does anyone know if this is a core price where ill have to send them mine. or are these all new and i get to keep my trailing arm assemblies
