Trailing Arm Nightmare
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Trailing Arm Nightmare
Yesterday I began the daunting task of removing the trailing arms from my vette so I can send the spindle/bearing assembly out to BAIRS for rebuild. It took me almot 7 hours to remove ONE side. The three inboard shims were very rusty. There were two thin shims (which broke when I tried to pull them out) and one thick shim (was a bitch to get out). Since I could not remove them I tried to cut through them with a sawszall and I wound up cutting the metal portion of the trailing arm. I did not give up and the large shim finally decided to come out and I was fianally able to cut through the bolt. Hopefully the left side won't be as bad. I will be using offest TA's once the rebuild assemblies come back. I just wonder did my 7 hours to remove one TA met or broke the "record" for the length of time to remove one TA. I did take some pics and I will attempt to post them.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
Better man than me. I took one look at mine, during the rear end rebuild, and decided not to touch it until later. Much later. Once I've driven her for a while, enjoyed it a bit for all the headaches it's been, then, THEN, I'll stir up THAT bees nest, know what I mean?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 703
Likes: 2
Mine took me about a week 
I spent maybe an hour or two each day and went through about 12 blades since I could only use the tip of the blade. I learned on the first side that its easiest to cut towards the outside, even if you have to cut right through the shims.. If you cut to close to the trailing arm you end up having to cut through the hardened bushing sleeve and that will eat up your blade and take forever to cut through..
I spent maybe an hour or two each day and went through about 12 blades since I could only use the tip of the blade. I learned on the first side that its easiest to cut towards the outside, even if you have to cut right through the shims.. If you cut to close to the trailing arm you end up having to cut through the hardened bushing sleeve and that will eat up your blade and take forever to cut through..
