Trailing arm rebuild and run out
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 48
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Trailing arm rebuild and run out
hi again guys
I was thinkin of having my arms rebuilt but I still have original rotors. Currently the braking is fine but I've read nightmares about getting the run out in spec after new rotors so now I'm hesitant to rebuild. Any advice and thoughts on this?
Again thanks for all the help. My son and I are having a lot of fun.
I was thinkin of having my arms rebuilt but I still have original rotors. Currently the braking is fine but I've read nightmares about getting the run out in spec after new rotors so now I'm hesitant to rebuild. Any advice and thoughts on this?
Again thanks for all the help. My son and I are having a lot of fun.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
hi again guys
I was thinkin of having my arms rebuilt but I still have original rotors. Currently the braking is fine but I've read nightmares about getting the run out in spec after new rotors so now I'm hesitant to rebuild. Any advice and thoughts on this?
Again thanks for all the help. My son and I are having a lot of fun.
I was thinkin of having my arms rebuilt but I still have original rotors. Currently the braking is fine but I've read nightmares about getting the run out in spec after new rotors so now I'm hesitant to rebuild. Any advice and thoughts on this?
Again thanks for all the help. My son and I are having a lot of fun.
The wheel bearings usually last 250,000 miles if they get re-packed about every 50,000 miles. The problem with the OEM spindles and rotors is they were machined and ground as an assembly so turning a rotor meant instant run out where there was none before. Now days the spindles and rotors are machined to ZERO run out as separate parts so run out isn't a problem with aftermarket parts.
Is there something presently wrong with your trailing arms?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2015
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We have the entire rear end off and I figured I'd do the arms for my son since he pulled a 4.3gpa on his report card this year! Can u say scholarship?? Lol
Anyway the arms are just showing typical rust for a midwest car and the bushings are likely a bit worn. It has 86k miles. With all differential and axels and struts out im gonna media blast all the rusty parts and freshen up the whole thing before reassembly.
Anyway the arms are just showing typical rust for a midwest car and the bushings are likely a bit worn. It has 86k miles. With all differential and axels and struts out im gonna media blast all the rusty parts and freshen up the whole thing before reassembly.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: St Louis MO http://1972corvetterestomod.blogspot.com/
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From: St Louis MO http://1972corvetterestomod.blogspot.com/
Can't say enough good things about Gary Ramadei if you're interested in that route.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Spend the college fund on the Corvette!
Get the trailing arm bearings professionally replaced while you have the arm off, with 86,000 miles on them you are on borrowed time.
Removing and reinstalling the rear bearings and setting the bearing end play takes many expensive tools and is not for the do it yourselfer.
Install new stainless steel parts for the parking brake but use steel parking brake shoes, not stainless.
Have the front TA bushing and strut rod bushings replaced with rubber.
Replace the half shaft and drive shaft u joints, and order and use the tool on the half shafts so as not to bend and distort the flange.
Order a new stainless steel shim pack for the front of the TA.
You might want to replace the rubber brake lines.
Setting up rotor run out is no big deal, here's how:
Congratulations on you sons 4.3 gpa!
Removing and reinstalling the rear bearings and setting the bearing end play takes many expensive tools and is not for the do it yourselfer.
Install new stainless steel parts for the parking brake but use steel parking brake shoes, not stainless.
Have the front TA bushing and strut rod bushings replaced with rubber.
Replace the half shaft and drive shaft u joints, and order and use the tool on the half shafts so as not to bend and distort the flange.
Order a new stainless steel shim pack for the front of the TA.
You might want to replace the rubber brake lines.
Setting up rotor run out is no big deal, here's how:
Congratulations on you sons 4.3 gpa!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,292
Likes: 494
From: Salmon Arm, BC
I have to disagree with most of these guys. I you are halfways to handy in the shop, have some specific tools or are willing to get them, and can follow some instructions... it's not really that hard.
I'm doing mine right now and read all the post on the horrors of rear bearings, and don't really see what all the fuss is about. I think the horror storys come from trailing arms that have been bathed in salt for 40 years, and are rusted beyond recognition.
Now I've been wrenching since I was about 12 years old, am a bit of a tool *****, and have a well equiped shop, so I'm not afraid of tackling most projects.
Assess your skills and capabilitys, and if it feels right dive in.
I'm doing mine right now and read all the post on the horrors of rear bearings, and don't really see what all the fuss is about. I think the horror storys come from trailing arms that have been bathed in salt for 40 years, and are rusted beyond recognition.
Now I've been wrenching since I was about 12 years old, am a bit of a tool *****, and have a well equiped shop, so I'm not afraid of tackling most projects.
Assess your skills and capabilitys, and if it feels right dive in.
Last edited by OMF; Jun 9, 2015 at 02:08 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 76
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Bearings, bushings and brakes oh my. Can be a lot of labor, about a week or so if you are in a hurry and have a job. Finished mine not too long ago and now I am doing a front suspension kit. What messed me up was me installing the drum shoe lever on the wrong side.
Took me a while taking my time but I am a pro now because I have taken it all apart and put it back together so many times to get it right. I can do one side, off and back on in about 4 hours on a mission.
Deinstall problems - cutting trailing arms out of car with sawzall. pressing bearings and bushings out is always fun. Replacing messed up parts and bolts with ordered parts.
Paint and reinstall. VHT epoxy paint for all of the suspension parts. Press bearings in to proper tightness with the correct washers.
Lot of labor and can be expensive. Easiest way is to buy fully built trailing arms and cut the old ones out to be completely done in about a day or so.
Took me a while taking my time but I am a pro now because I have taken it all apart and put it back together so many times to get it right. I can do one side, off and back on in about 4 hours on a mission.Deinstall problems - cutting trailing arms out of car with sawzall. pressing bearings and bushings out is always fun. Replacing messed up parts and bolts with ordered parts.
Paint and reinstall. VHT epoxy paint for all of the suspension parts. Press bearings in to proper tightness with the correct washers.
Lot of labor and can be expensive. Easiest way is to buy fully built trailing arms and cut the old ones out to be completely done in about a day or so.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
I do trailing arms at my shop...and I will write this. Even though a person with the correct tools can do it. It is IF they want to do it and learn and spend their time. If the father/son time spent doing a repair like this is what you want to do...then you can do it...but like previously mentioned...it DOES take some specific tools. SO..if money is an issue...see how much it would cost to get them sent off and back and that cost...then the costs of the tools.
DUB
DUB
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Not meaning to offend...but if you are using the POR-15...if you do not use there "Marine Clean" and especially the "Acid Etch". You are wasting your time because it will fail in time. UNLESS you are sandblasting all of your metal parts clean....then you can apply it directly on clean blasted steel WITHOUT using other prep products.
Just thought I would mention it.
DUB
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
Yes Sir; Proud of those grades for the Son. I had more than enough fun just getting the shims between the Arms, ready for the frame shop. I'm sure happy I didn't rebuild. Also I just ordered a New set, & installed at the same time I removed. Make sure who ever does you realignment, really know how to do Corvettes, very Important. Most Frame shops have this availability, a lot of Alignment shops don't do frames, I have found. Good Luck with whatever you do. Keep the Grades going. Gene