Bad Trailing Arm Bushings???
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Wildwood IL
Bad Trailing Arm Bushings???
Hey Guys:
I recently replaced my rear spring links + poly bushings, and poly strut rod bushings + new camber bolts. I adjusted the strut rods within 1/8" of being perfect too. This adjustment lasted two weeks. The tops of the rear tires are bowed in like never before. I checked the camber bolt and the adjustment hasn't moved. Give it to me straight Doc... do I need TA bushings now as well???? :cry :cry :cry
Eddie
I recently replaced my rear spring links + poly bushings, and poly strut rod bushings + new camber bolts. I adjusted the strut rods within 1/8" of being perfect too. This adjustment lasted two weeks. The tops of the rear tires are bowed in like never before. I checked the camber bolt and the adjustment hasn't moved. Give it to me straight Doc... do I need TA bushings now as well???? :cry :cry :cry
Eddie
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Re: Bad Trailing Arm Bushings??? (Silvr77)
Since you replaced all the other rubber in the rear suspension it certainly wouldn't hurt to replace the TA bushings.
I'm not 100% sure that is the problem.
The struct rods control the camber. It is possible that the TA bushings are bad and that is causing some camber, but I don't think that would cause as much of a problem as you described, especially since you say the camber bolt hasn't moved. (Plus, I had a TA bushing that was completely descinigrated and the camber remained good.)
I would recheck the strut rod bushings and camber bolts / adjustment again.
If they look O.K., you can remove the strut rod and see how much play is in the TA bushing. Rotate the trailing arm on its camber axis and see how it moves. There should be some play, but not much. If there is allot of play, well, you know what to do.
Hope this helps.
I'm not 100% sure that is the problem.
The struct rods control the camber. It is possible that the TA bushings are bad and that is causing some camber, but I don't think that would cause as much of a problem as you described, especially since you say the camber bolt hasn't moved. (Plus, I had a TA bushing that was completely descinigrated and the camber remained good.)
I would recheck the strut rod bushings and camber bolts / adjustment again.
If they look O.K., you can remove the strut rod and see how much play is in the TA bushing. Rotate the trailing arm on its camber axis and see how it moves. There should be some play, but not much. If there is allot of play, well, you know what to do.
Hope this helps.
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Re: Bad Trailing Arm Bushings??? (Silvr77)
I would first try re-adjusting the rear camber, since things have had a chance to "settle" in. If you can't adjust the camber within spec, the usual cause is excessive wear on the ends of both stub axles. If that's the case, you'll likely have to replace them.
Many don't realize that the stub axles/halfshafts are both a drivetrain component AND a suspension component. When considering the rear suspension, think of the stub axles/halfshafts as the "upper A frame" and the camber adjustment rods as the "lower A frame". If the ends of the stub axles are worn, the tops of the tires come "in" too far, and you cannot adjust them with the camber rods. That's why you'll see so many bent camber rods. It's a "bubba" attempt to correct the camber when the stub axles are so worn that there's no adjustment left. :) Hope this helps. Chuck
Many don't realize that the stub axles/halfshafts are both a drivetrain component AND a suspension component. When considering the rear suspension, think of the stub axles/halfshafts as the "upper A frame" and the camber adjustment rods as the "lower A frame". If the ends of the stub axles are worn, the tops of the tires come "in" too far, and you cannot adjust them with the camber rods. That's why you'll see so many bent camber rods. It's a "bubba" attempt to correct the camber when the stub axles are so worn that there's no adjustment left. :) Hope this helps. Chuck
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Wildwood IL
Re: Bad Trailing Arm Bushings??? (Chuck Gongloff)
GB4622 and Chuck G......Thanks guys, I do appreciate the response. I am hoping it's the stub universals (easy) cause I plan to do the trailing arm bush this winter (hard). Doing the TA bushings now pretty much puts the car away for the rest of the driving season, and after 9 months on jack stands, I've only driven it these last couple of weeks. Will let you know what I find......
Thanks Again :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Eddie
Thanks Again :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Eddie
