Rear Wheel Play
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 281
Likes: 4
From: Holbrook MA
I ordered the assm from Van Steel yesterday at noon and it shipped out the same day. I got an email with my total, and another with my tracking number. Very impressed with Van Steel so far!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9,434
Likes: 239
From: Powassan ON
Keep us all in the loop.
I think I'm going to do the same job as you are now, but next winter.
Curious about the advantages to doing the bearing swap vs a complete T/A swap.
Would seem to me about the same amount of work and less(?) aggravation to change the whole T/A. Not the case?
dodosmike
I think I'm going to do the same job as you are now, but next winter.
Curious about the advantages to doing the bearing swap vs a complete T/A swap.
Would seem to me about the same amount of work and less(?) aggravation to change the whole T/A. Not the case?
dodosmike
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 281
Likes: 4
From: Holbrook MA
I've read that changing a trailing arm can be a bear because the pivot bolt and shims can be rusted solid, I've even read about cutting the bolt to get it out. I got the bearing assembly to break loose last night, all I'm left with is the lower shock mount. I don't have the tool, and don't have the time to wait for one, so I'm going to have to figure out a way to get it out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
I've read that changing a trailing arm can be a bear because the pivot bolt and shims can be rusted solid, I've even read about cutting the bolt to get it out. I got the bearing assembly to break loose last night, all I'm left with is the lower shock mount. I don't have the tool, and don't have the time to wait for one, so I'm going to have to figure out a way to get it out.
2) Go to the nearest hardware store and get three or four 3/8" NPT pipe caps. These will thread on your shock mounts and serve as the removal tool.
3) Get a BFH and a six-pack and wail away. You need to make sure the cap stays bottomed out on the shock mount; if it backs off as you are hitting it, you will wreck the mount. I placed a set of vice grips on the cap, sticking out at about 3 o'clock, that way I could see immediately if the cap was moving, and tighten it back up. If you end up beating on a cap for a while with no luck, replace it with a fresh one so you don't wreck your threads.
4) This actually does work, but in my case required some persistence. About the time you think you cannot swing the hammer one more ******* time, she'll start to move for you. If not, try heating the bolt end with a torch and quenching with motor oil or WD40 a couple times.
Good luck!
Last edited by Rally68; Jun 8, 2011 at 01:25 PM. Reason: clarification
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
you need to look at the half shafts in the diff.....if the ends mushroom out from hammering they need to be replaced.....make sure the half shafts cant be moved in and out. also this is a good time to change to the VBP style struts
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 851
Likes: 10
From: Palm City, FL
I just did this. Got my part from VanSteel too. The benifit to me to go with the bearing assembly rather than the whole trailing arm assembly was that it was cheaper, the job is unbolt the old and bolt on the new, I was able to retain all of my rear suspension adjustments without haveing to re-do that, and I didn;t have to deal with frozen trailing arm bolts, trailing arm shims and adjustments.
The hardest part about the job was getting the damn parking brake retaining pin springs back on.
The hardest part about the job was getting the damn parking brake retaining pin springs back on.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
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
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 281
Likes: 4
From: Holbrook MA
The bearing from Van Steel arrived and it's a thing of beauty. Well made, fast shipping, and packaged well...I'm very happy. I wish it was Saturday so I could get this thing back together!