How to support rear trailing arms without a spring?
Thread Starter
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From: La Mesa CA
How to support rear trailing arms without a spring?
I am rebuilding my rear suspension and would like to assemble the trailing arms onto the frame so I can roll the car around while the body is off. However, I am waiting for my rear spring to arrive. Is there a quick and dirty way to support the trailing arms, or should i say, keep the trailing arms from hitting the frame, without the spring. A strategically placed piece of wood?
Thanks
Glenn in San Diego
Thanks
Glenn in San Diego
Last edited by gleninsandiego; Aug 7, 2017 at 02:08 AM.
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Glenn,
Is the differential, the half shafts, and strut rods in place?
A small block of wood placed on top of each trailing arm where it enters the 'pocket' in the frame will in effect give you a 'solid' rear suspension.
Regards,
Alan
Is the differential, the half shafts, and strut rods in place?
A small block of wood placed on top of each trailing arm where it enters the 'pocket' in the frame will in effect give you a 'solid' rear suspension.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Aug 7, 2017 at 06:55 AM.
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From: Austin Texas
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you can not roll around a C3 chassis for a corvette.
with no weight on frame, the rear sits up to high.
and the angle to great at the rear trailing arm.
the rear wheels will not roll they will hit the knuckles of the ujoint.
buy a set of dolly wheels for the tires, to move a C3 frame around.
with no weight on frame, the rear sits up to high.
and the angle to great at the rear trailing arm.
the rear wheels will not roll they will hit the knuckles of the ujoint.
buy a set of dolly wheels for the tires, to move a C3 frame around.
Last edited by 69Vett; Aug 7, 2017 at 11:28 AM.
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I am rebuilding my rear suspension and would like to assemble the trailing arms onto the frame so I can roll the car around while the body is off. However, I am waiting for my rear spring to arrive. Is there a quick and dirty way to support the trailing arms, or should i say, keep the trailing arms from hitting the frame, without the spring. A strategically placed piece of wood?
Thanks
Glenn in San Diego
Thanks
Glenn in San Diego
RVZIO
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I believe if the chassis is jacked-up and the suspension left to hang free, the half-shafts DO bind.
But won't the blocks of wood keep the trailing arms in the position they would be if the spring was in place and the weight of the car was on the suspension.
Regards,
Alan
I believe if the chassis is jacked-up and the suspension left to hang free, the half-shafts DO bind.
But won't the blocks of wood keep the trailing arms in the position they would be if the spring was in place and the weight of the car was on the suspension.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: La Mesa CA
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Seeing how he figured out a way to do this...let me add this for any of those who may be getting ready to do this.
First off...before I remove the body...I get the four bolts that hold the rear spring to the rear differential cover loose. About 2 full turns. DO NOT take them out!!!
Then..when the body is still on the frame...detach the spring from the trailing arms and remove it entirely. I some cases I remove the upper rubber stop OFF the frame to not damage it so it is still in excellent condition.
Then..I have a block of wood cut ( that I cut to that measurement I previously took) that will go between the trailing arm and the frame so when I set it down..it stops. Then I will take the body off.
DUB
First off...before I remove the body...I get the four bolts that hold the rear spring to the rear differential cover loose. About 2 full turns. DO NOT take them out!!!
Then..when the body is still on the frame...detach the spring from the trailing arms and remove it entirely. I some cases I remove the upper rubber stop OFF the frame to not damage it so it is still in excellent condition.
Then..I have a block of wood cut ( that I cut to that measurement I previously took) that will go between the trailing arm and the frame so when I set it down..it stops. Then I will take the body off.
DUB
Thread Starter
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From: La Mesa CA
I got the idea for putting all the weight on the frame from a you tube video where they were getting some "big" boys to stand on the frame above the spring. The problem was I was home alone. 
Thanks all for the great suggestions. Dub, how do you put the spring on? Do you wait until the body is on?
Glenn in San Diego
Thanks all for the great suggestions. Dub, how do you put the spring on? Do you wait until the body is on?
Glenn in San Diego
Last edited by gleninsandiego; Aug 7, 2017 at 10:06 PM.
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Kinda YES. IF it is a steel spring I wait til I have the weight of the car to aid on compressing the steel spring. IF it is a composite spring then it does not a matter.
The reason I wait til I get the body back in is so when I get the spring caged at the trailing arms...WHEN I go and torque the four bolts at the differential cover...the weight of the car is ON THE GROUND...thus...flattening the spring...thus making it so when I torque those four bolts.,..I do not RISK the chance of breaking the ears off the rear end cover.
DUB