Trailing Arm Bushing Replacement Question

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Sep 30, 2010 | 04:33 PM

sspooner

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 33

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From: Jackson Michigan

Trailing Arm Bushing Replacement Question

I have a 76 four speed L-82 with about 90,000 miles

Is this something I can do in my garage, given a reasonable amount of mechanical ability and hand tools. Or will I end up with a big mess and need a tow to get back on the road?

Thanks in advance for any advice

Steve

Sep 30, 2010 | 04:50 PM

1Fordman

Drifting

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 1,317

Likes: 22

From: Marina CA

You'll need a staking tool to stake the bushing end ring in place. If the trialing arms have never been out you'll need to consider doing the bearings, u-joints and parking brake shoes/hardware.

It's the old one thing leads to another thing common to all C-3's

Send me a PM and I'll give you the info on a top notch person for trailing arms.

Sep 30, 2010 | 05:30 PM

Woodsters

Instructor

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 152

Likes: 0

From: Williston Florida

I've done this and have a pretty decent write-up including photos. Do a search and you'll find plenty of information about it. You must use the staking tool - you can borrow, rent or buy but it is necessary for the job.
David

Sep 30, 2010 | 10:55 PM

0Willcox Corvette

Former Vendor

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 76,656

Likes: 1,850

From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103

St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15

You'll need this tool for sure..

http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=25247

Getting the arms out will be the hardest battle you'll have.

Willcox

Sep 30, 2010 | 11:39 PM

Clams Canino

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 2,343

Likes: 4

From: Anderson SC

There's an aftermarket Poly bushing kit that comes with it's own little stakeing tool.

IMHO doing the TA bushings and rear wheel bearings was about the most miserable job I've ever done to that car. (The only worse job is removing the body, I hear)

-W

Last edited by Clams Canino; Oct 3, 2010 at 12:13 PM.

Oct 1, 2010 | 01:16 PM

Darrel1

Racer

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 457

Likes: 1

From: Royal Oak Michigan

I did the bushings on my 80 a couple of years back and had never done it before. No special tools and used the Polyurethane bushings and the tool that came with them. Took time but was not technically difficult. I was lucky- my trailing arm bolt was not rusted in the hole so a few hard taps and it slid right out. You will either need to mark the position of the trailing arm cross car relative to the frame (to keep the same alignment) or plan to get an alignment when you are done. I scribed a line on the bodyside and on the trailing arm. So when I put it back together I just kept the alignment of the lines straight and I was all set as I put the shims back in.

The other hard part is getting the TA bolt back in. I drilled a small hole thru the tip tied fishing line to the bolt- threaded the line thru the fram-trailing arm- back thru the frame and then pulled the bolt up to the frame- and with a little of wiggling of the trailing arm and pulling the string- I was able to get the bolt most of the way in. One trick is that the TA needs to be close to ride height position so the holes all line up without interference.

Hope this helps.

Darrel1

Oct 3, 2010 | 12:00 PM

cottoneg

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,700

Likes: 270

From: New York

I did not like the poly bushings. They bound under high load conditions. I prefer these:
http://www.guldstrand.com/scripts/pr...?idproduct=104

They help reduce the trailing throttle oversteer. No decrease in ride comfort. BTW: I agree with the above suggestion of having the bearings serviced and the use stainless steel parking brake components.