While trying to figure out a tracking problem on my '80, I discovered what seems to be a bent trailing arm. After researching a little better while looking to buy a new one, it seems most trailing arms have a slight bend to them anyway. The trailing arm on the drivers side is obviously an aftermarket one, due to different levels of rust, when compared to the one on the passenger side. I'm pretty sure it is bent (2nd time apparently), and I figure I'll have to replace it, but before spending another $200 on a new trailing arm, I was hoping some of you could help me out and confirm that it is bent. I've included 3 pics, the first 2 of them are the bent? trailing arm and the last one is the stock trailing arm on the passenger side. Thanks in advance.
drivers side:

seems like a major crease to me...

and the passenger side:


I hope I can get this problem fixed, I'm dying to get it back on the road where it should be :)

El Seano

ps. Yes, she is a bit rusty, it was originally sold in IL, I'm hoping to bead blast it soon.

-1980 L48 vette
-1993 Z28 M6

 

I can't really tell, I'm at work using Fred Flintstones old computer but here's a link to trailing arms on my car taken at various angles, maybe it will help. Trailing Arms

Just re-read your post. Does the car sway to one side when you get on the gas and sway the other way when you let off? If so it's probably the TA bushings.


[Modified by C3 Shark Tank, 11:56 PM 6/16/2002]

 

All TA's have that slight kink to them. It's just a part of their design.

 

is there a resons you think the trailing arm is bent?
has the car been hit ?
did you hit something with the rear end?
it just could not bend on it's own
the pics look normal
you may have lost some shims, if there is an aligment problem
hope this is of some help

 

Thanks for all the replies. Lets see if I can answer some questions for you.

When driving the car and getting on the gas, there is no sway to either side. Same with letting off the gas. The car rides fine. The problem is that it has a tracking problem. Driving in a straight line, the rear end of the car is off set from the front end. Driving directly behind the car, I can see the drivers side front tire but I can't see the passengers side front tire. Best way I can explain it is it dog tracks. The rear end isn't directly behind the front of the car when driving straight. It may just be an alignment problem. To answer some other questions, I'm not sure if it has been in an accident. I bought the car a year ago, right before winter, and it's sat in my garage and been worked on since. I've had it on the road, maybe 40 miles since its purchase. I personally have never dinged it, bumped it, or wrecked it. I think I'm going to go have a VIN check done on it, and see if it's had any damage. I'm guessing since it has an aftermarket trailing arm, that it has bumped something before. Hopefully it's just an alignment problem and I just need to get it to an alignment shop. What concerns me though, is one night when I did have it out, the right rear u-joint snapped at the halfshaft, on the same side with this trailing arm. I replaced the u-joints and they're strong now, but what else could cause a u-joint to snap like that. I just assumed it had something to do with this trailing arm. If you guys need any more info or pics, please let me know. I really appreciate the help. Thanks agian.

El Seano

 

I think the correct analogy is called "crabbing" as in your car is driving like a crab (sideways) - this condition is usually because of a bad toe setting indicating that the aligned centerline of the rear suspension is not parallel to that of the front. A bent trailing arm would more than likely be indicated by excessive wear on one side fo the car compared to the other (unless the alignment was modified so that the opposite side wheel matched the incorrect side)

Take it in for a 4 wheel alignment - they will be able to tell you for sure once its on the rack if that arm is bent. - do you have any alignment shims missing. BTW when you go into the alignment shop - do not ask them to check if your trailing arm is bent - it will almost certainly be bent if you ask them to check.

U-joints break - it happens - and its not usually related to the trailing arms - the point of the ujoint is to adjust for misalignments (ie suspension travel) so they could certainly take care of a slight misalignment caused by a very slightly bent arm - I think you can rule out trailing arm woes in regard to the ujoint failure.

I'm not sure if it is 1980 or 1981 when carfax starts - someone else may be able to answer that - all i know is I cant use it on my 78.


[Modified by fauxrs, 8:01 AM 6/17/2002]

 

Did you rub on the spot that looks like a dent? It's a little hard to see.

Here's what they should look like (this is NOT a new one!)



See..they have a bend in them.

Marck



[Modified by Twinnie, 12:48 PM 6/17/2002]

 

Hey thanks everyone. I think I'm going to take it into the shop and get it aligned. I've been fighting with this crabbing problem for awhile now and I've done about everything BUT get it aligned. It's always the simplest of solutions. :)

El Seano