Ok, so I diagnosed my parking brake problem: a rusty keeper spring broke and the assembly collapsed (not that it worked worth a flip, anyway). I ordered the re-build kit. I am now disassembling the rusty, useless mess.
Here's my dilemma/questions (see visual aide).

#1. This pin is the retainer for the spring cup assembly which holds the rear passenger side shoe to the hub. I'd like to replace it, but it can't be retrograded back thru its hole without removing major stuff. I'd like to replace it, because it's rusty and I don't trust it to hold the new assembly. I do not want to ever do this again...



#2. It looks like this nut (and its other 3 likenesses) might yield me some working room if removed and the dust shield assembly and other stuff removed or just moved out of the way to install a new pin.

#3. This swiveling flange is not only frozen in place, but is bent to hell. There's not enough room to remove the bolt which holds it in order to replace it. As bad of shape as it's in, I fear it can't hold the new brake shoes in place, and should be replaced, but how do I get more access to remove the bolt?

#4. Rivet remainders..... I beat the snot outta these dudes with a hammer and punch... didn't budge. How do you get them out? Heat? Bigger hammer???

#5. Pivoting lever arm that actuates the brake shoes. It's hinged, and frozen (rust) in a 90-ish degree angle. I can't get to it to break the hinge free, nor can it be pulled out of its slot.....again, removing some of the stuff (that was assembled in a different order at the factory) would aid me greatly.

Major question: Can I safely attempt to remove these horribly rusted nuts (I break stuff), and will it give me the access I need? I have them soaking in penetrating oil right now (NAPA's "In-Force")....Is that enough? Should I get the torch out too???

Looking at this whole thing, I wonder if I will have to remove the whole enchilada..starting at the U-joint...

Murphy does this to me a lot ...... Thanks in advance, Lee

 

Looking at this rusted mess, I would go ahead & replace the complete Trailing Arm unit. Then you would be done for the rest of your life. I think you will be a long way ahead of the game. I know it's a thousand dollars for the pair of them, with bolts & shims, but they are easy to replace, in my opinion. If you want to tear them apart, drill out the rivets, & remove the spindles & hopefully save the bearings, & say a prayer that the Trailing arms don't give up the bushings. Looking at what I see, I bet they have already started peeling out of the arms. Have a great one. Gene

 

I have been thinking about having my trailing arms rebuilt for about a year now. Found a place in Chicago that does a rebuild for about 300.00 a side. I am not sure if anyone has used them or what kind of work they do, but for the savings it might be worth checking out, here is the link http://www.vtechcorvette.com/
Maybe someone here can give some insight into the company
Ron

 

I bought a pair of rebuilt trailing arms from Van Steel. They looked like new and have been working fine for 2 years. I sent in a pair of arms that looked like they came from the Titanic and I still got some credit for them. Your arms don't look nearly as bad as mine were. It's worth at least contacting them to see what they say. Van Steel is a well respected vendor on the forum.



Rick B.

 

Thanks guys.... I think I'm gonna attempt to rebuid the things. I'm not even gonna try to remove those frozen bolts in fear of changing this "repair" into a "replacement." I'm not 100% sure this cars is gonna be "the one," so I really don't care to dump a lot of money into the repair right now. I might try to find one in better shape, maybe a nice resto. I don't drive it much, so hopefully that impossible-to-remove pin will hold the shoes in place a bit longer....

Thanks again for your help, I will contact Van Steel.... Happy New Year, everyone... Lee

 

looks like you spent some serious money

 

You might find this recent thread entertaining - at least you're not alone.

 

^^^^^ Wow Fred....Yes misery does love company, so thanks for that.... I also went to a site you mentioned within one of your posts about removing / rebuilding trailing arms....sheesh!!!! What should be simple,........aaarrrggghhh!!!

 

On the whole project I don't care to think about it.

The trailing arms are currently selling for $399 each, and you get some credit for the cores. IIRC I bought mine on a forum sale although Van Steel hasn't had one of those in a while. I think the rebuilt TAs are a good deal when you add up the cost of parts and getting the rotors trued and bearings set up correctly. You just have to go through the exercise of getting the TA bolts and the shock mounts out, and those can be entire projects themselves. Mine were both worst-case.



Rick B.