are left & right trailing arms the same?
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Charlotte NC
are left & right trailing arms the same?
Comparing the left & right bare trailing arms side by side they look to be identical except for the 4 welded on brackets (park brake cable, brake line mount & skid). If so, has anybody ever made a left out of a right?
Last edited by 68notray; Jan 19, 2015 at 08:15 PM. Reason: typo
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
I never really paid attention to that, but it would definately get some people outof a bind if they had a spare arm and the arms were identical/boss fits were centered vertically in the arms......only the brackets and spring-bolt-holes would have to be modified.
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From: Charlotte NC
Well, I bought an arm from a fellow board member, who is awesome btw. But my stupidity I bought the wrong side. I already need to transplant my park brake tab from my damaged original arm. Then I noticed it looks to be the same identical arm except for the 4 brackets. So why not switch all 4 and fix the problem?
Last edited by 68notray; Jan 19, 2015 at 08:16 PM. Reason: typo
Race Director
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From: Charlotte NC
I would not waste my time....I would get the correct arm. Maybe a DIY'er could or would...but I could not because I have to charge for my time...and this is pointless for me to do. Much like me rebuilding calipers...I have the tools to do them...but when I figure in my time...it does not make sense to charge my customers MORE money than if I buy one already built.
And you more than likely would also have to deal with the staked retainer for the rubber cushion for the rear leaf spring.
DUB
And you more than likely would also have to deal with the staked retainer for the rubber cushion for the rear leaf spring.
DUB
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All done - took me about 20 min to make the sex change. Cut all 4 brackets off & welded back on, in opposite config. Park brake tab w/ the nylon "u" needs to be reverse twist so I grabbed it off my damaged arm. So, it can be done & quite easily. I am doing a total rebush repaint anyway so a new front bushing was already in order plus one of the tabs was mangled and needed swapping out as well. I am a hardcore diy guy and consider my time to be free so I like these sort of challenges.
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
All done - took me about 20 min to make the sex change. Cut all 4 brackets off & welded back on, in opposite config. Park brake tab w/ the nylon "u" needs to be reverse twist so I grabbed it off my damaged arm. So, it can be done & quite easily. I am doing a total rebush repaint anyway so a new front bushing was already in order plus one of the tabs was mangled and needed swapping out as well. I am a hardcore diy guy and consider my time to be free so I like these sort of challenges.
I would ask for a pic....but I could just hold a mirror next to one of the arms....LOL!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Moyock NC
All done - took me about 20 min to make the sex change. Cut all 4 brackets off & welded back on, in opposite config. Park brake tab w/ the nylon "u" needs to be reverse twist so I grabbed it off my damaged arm. So, it can be done & quite easily. I am doing a total rebush repaint anyway so a new front bushing was already in order plus one of the tabs was mangled and needed swapping out as well. I am a hardcore diy guy and consider my time to be free so I like these sort of challenges.
Race Director
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From: Charlotte NC
All done - took me about 20 min to make the sex change. Cut all 4 brackets off & welded back on, in opposite config. Park brake tab w/ the nylon "u" needs to be reverse twist so I grabbed it off my damaged arm. So, it can be done & quite easily. I am doing a total rebush repaint anyway so a new front bushing was already in order plus one of the tabs was mangled and needed swapping out as well. I am a hardcore diy guy and consider my time to be free so I like these sort of challenges.
I have a plasma cutter, cutting torch. Porta-band saw, Saws-all and cut-off wheels....and I have removed the park brake cable brake with my Porta-band saw in a snap....but the upper plate and cutting the park brake 'U' clip off an old and and getting it ground down and ready for welding would take some time. I have removed and replaced the bracket for the brake hole mount point with a cut-off wheel and that takes a minute or two.
You must have BEEN IN THE ZONE to get it done that quick. Cut off parts, remove and clean up, measure and clamp an hold in place and weld....YOU were IN THE ZONE.
Well...I am glad that I have so many old trailing arms so IF I need to do that...I can try to match your time and make it worth while. DOUBTFUL that I could...but it would be fun trying to get close.
DUB
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Charlotte NC
Cut off wheel & torch. You're right about the smaller tabs - they were pretty much a snap. GM got some penetration on the upper plate, so I had to get ugly with that one!
DUB - curious about your screen name - is that a Johnboy & Billy reference?
DUB - curious about your screen name - is that a Johnboy & Billy reference?
Race Director
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From: Charlotte NC
DUB
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
No one actually answered the op's question they just scolded him for wanting to think outside the box and try to make something work out...
One mans struggle to take it easy...
I have always been into my hobbies for fun, not just vettes, antique arcade stuff, RC, other vehicles but never considered the labor of love I put into my hobbies something to charge myself for,
Some people like to tackle things just because, perhaps they triumph perhaps not but the trip getting to the end is the fun part,
Man DG....you are all over the place wasting time on your build...how wouldnt thunk it....
One mans struggle to take it easy...
I have always been into my hobbies for fun, not just vettes, antique arcade stuff, RC, other vehicles but never considered the labor of love I put into my hobbies something to charge myself for,
Some people like to tackle things just because, perhaps they triumph perhaps not but the trip getting to the end is the fun part,
Man DG....you are all over the place wasting time on your build...how wouldnt thunk it....
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Charlotte NC
No sway bar so there's no holes. Spring bushing hole is identical. A new cup comes with the bolt/washers/nut/cushion kit I ordered from Willcox, so just ground off the crimped lip & installed new cup in opposite hole. Even if it were a sway bar arm all you'd do is a quick plug weld to fill the holes and drill 2 on the other side.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Sebring florida
Trailing arm bumper pad thats welded to the top of the arm.
And are you certain that left and right are the same angle with respect to the front bushing?
For the cost of the proper one , I wouldn't bother.
These are a critical part of the alinement and half shaft alinement.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 157
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From: Sebring florida
My apologies to tracdog.
that being said, what about the the TR bumper pad thats welded to the top of the arm.if you take the left arm and turn it upside down the pad is on the bottom, do you grind it off as well and move to the now top of the TR.
that being said, what about the the TR bumper pad thats welded to the top of the arm.if you take the left arm and turn it upside down the pad is on the bottom, do you grind it off as well and move to the now top of the TR.
Thread Starter
Pro
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From: Charlotte NC
After posting the original question, I took a host of critical measurements and confirmed the basic shell is identical for both sides. Only the welded on tab locations are different, and all of the tabs are identical as well, except for the smallest cable guide and it is just a reverse twist. The tabs are just welded on in opposite locations. In fact, if anyone else wants to do the swap - none of the welded on tab locations are super critical. They have nothing to do with alignment. Accurate to .25" is close enough.
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From: San Jose CA
