Trailing arm rebuild
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,985
From: Connecticut, USA
To follow up on what L88 said, since I am waking up with a hot drink I will list some more info. Now some of these may require more information and I am going to leave that up to you figure out as I don't intend to write a book here.
- Removing the axle requires the common tool to hammer it out- any vendor here will have it- buy it or you may wreck the axle threads
- If the outer bearing comes off the axle when you hammer it out then the axle is most likely bad
- Use only rubber front bushing but note there is a lot of junk parts out there so get a good one, some have long or short sleeves, wrong bushing diameters, sleeve ID wrong. Sometimes the Chinese don't copy parts too good and those that buy them don't inspect them
- Check the arms for rot or being bent. They rot from within the overlapped seams. If there is separation at the end or bulging at the plate they are rotted
- Your spacers will be out of parallel
- Your shims will not be the right size
- The shim kits come with good spacers but the size sizes are way too wide to dial in anything close
- You can shoot for 0015-002 endplay but may still have lateral play in the axle when assembled, that will show up as a rock in the rotor. Many accept or don't even know about this, I fit might for -0- lateral.
- The assembled axle should be snug not free wheeling and if you try to pull on a wheel stud there should not be endplay felt
- Have to use an indicator to check the bearings. Some of the YouTube videos show guys going by feel, They assembled junk do you want to do the same?
- Inner flanges are also out of parallel and the faces worn. I parallel grind these too along with the shims and spacers
- Rotor runout should be under 0025" you will read 005 is ok but I would never use that spec.
- Check the axles for twisted splines, damaged threads, undersize or scored journals. DO NOT use Imported axles. A guy I know rebuilt his TA with them and one snapped driving on the street. Again Cheap and Quality don't run together in builds. If you want the best , use the best parts and procedures. If you want ok then good luck with your choices.
- Can these be done at home and not by a pro? That is something each owner has to decide based on their skill level, time, and tools. Many have done a fine job, a lot of times better then what some shop would do as they rush them out the door. Some have not done so well and got to know the process for a 2nd or 3rd time.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
I am overwhelmed by all the answers I've received
I've ordered the spindle to trailing arm studs.. I've watched the video several times.
I have all new parts minus the spindle bearing assemble.. cleaned everything up.. been messing around with the process of swimming the bearing and pretty confident that I can do it the right way.. thanks again for all the help.
I've ordered the spindle to trailing arm studs.. I've watched the video several times.
I have all new parts minus the spindle bearing assemble.. cleaned everything up.. been messing around with the process of swimming the bearing and pretty confident that I can do it the right way.. thanks again for all the help.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
You can do it!
I am overwhelmed by all the answers I've received
I've ordered the spindle to trailing arm studs.. I've watched the video several times.
I have all new parts minus the spindle bearing assemble.. cleaned everything up.. been messing around with the process of swimming the bearing and pretty confident that I can do it the right way.. thanks again for all the help.
I've ordered the spindle to trailing arm studs.. I've watched the video several times.
I have all new parts minus the spindle bearing assemble.. cleaned everything up.. been messing around with the process of swimming the bearing and pretty confident that I can do it the right way.. thanks again for all the help.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Pretty sure this last set I got for my 68 a couple of months ago from Corvette America (top flight) was Timken. Too late to check now, ha! but, I know that they were not made in China which I thought was interesting. Need to double check to be sure if you gotta have Timken.
