Trailing arm rebuild
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
Trailing arm rebuild
One of my rear wheel bearings is making a very bad noise :eek:
So I'm going to rebuild my trailing arms.
What tools do I need to get to do the task?
Also, while I'm rebuilding the arms I'll be making a few upgrades
including a Tom's Diferentials upper control arm kit that I'll be installing.
Questions:
Is the aluminum locator kit a good investment?
Rubber or Poly?
Vette Brakes sells a traction bar - Do they work?
Eckler's has a modified inner flange that has a Zerk fitting for the wheel bearing. Anyone ever install a set?
Vette Brakes Smart Struts with the H.D. Heim joint ends?
Any feedback from someone who has done this before would be
:cool: & let me know if there is any other beefing up I can do.
Thanks in advance
So I'm going to rebuild my trailing arms.
What tools do I need to get to do the task?
Also, while I'm rebuilding the arms I'll be making a few upgrades
including a Tom's Diferentials upper control arm kit that I'll be installing.
Questions:
Is the aluminum locator kit a good investment?
Rubber or Poly?
Vette Brakes sells a traction bar - Do they work?
Eckler's has a modified inner flange that has a Zerk fitting for the wheel bearing. Anyone ever install a set?
Vette Brakes Smart Struts with the H.D. Heim joint ends?
Any feedback from someone who has done this before would be
:cool: & let me know if there is any other beefing up I can do.
Thanks in advance
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Re: Trailing arm rebuild (71coupe)
I will chime in on the smart struts with Heim Joints. I have only had them for about 4 months but so far they are great. They have greasefittings and are snug - no unwanted movement, very easy to adjust and no more bushings to wear out.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Trailing arm rebuild (71coupe)
I went with Poly. I use Heim joints on my strut rods but I don't think they are recommended for the street. Don't know why. George once told me but I can't remember. I rebuilt my own trailing arms and feel if you have the patience, a few tools plus access to a small amount of machining equipment you can do a good job and save alot of money. Once the bearings are out sand a little off the axles so the bearings are not pressed on too hard. This is not necessary and I think Tom's advertised their bearings are looser. My set are a slid fit and the crush from the bearing spacer applies the clamping force. Also set bearing clearances with only light oil and for the final greased assembly ingnore the slight drag of the grease. Grease fittings to the original bearing axles holders are easy to install.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Billings Mt
Re: Trailing arm rebuild (norvalwilhelm)
I just had mine out this weekend. You might as well replace the bushing in the end of the trailing arm as well. Then you can have the camber set up right and it will handle much better and not wear out the tires. You will need a press for the bearing and for the bushings or take it to a machine shop. On the bushing you need a flaring type of press in order to complete the job. Godd luck. Ray
