I have two trailing arms off my 72 that had new bearings and seals replaced by the prior owner. I want to remove the old rusty trailing arms and save the bearing/spindle assy. Can I dissemble them and not impact the rear hub setup?

Bob K.

 

It should all go right back into place since the only thing you are changing is the trailing arm. The spindle and everything else is not changed. Just torque it back to the correct specs and you should be good to go. You should be able to also put in some fresh grease also.

Are you taking anything out to Bairs? I remember you saying something about that. I am bringing this 77 into my garage tomorrow and needs some things rebuilt.

 

Hi Gordon!

I’m sending one steering box and two rears (70 L46 and 72 LS5) to Bairs. Leroy has the 72 body. It needed some windshield frame work and anything else they find. He and Eddie are working their magic on it.

Bob K.

 

You should check the bearing end play beforehand. Just because the PO reported them changed doesn’t mean they were setup correctly. Original GM specs are 0.003-0.010” which is way too loose. They should be in the range of 0.001-0.0015” when new.

 

This ^^^^^
And GTR Gary told me that you should change out the washer for a new one when re-assembling.

Jebby

 

This makes the most sense and I can say that since I have repaired the work of a LOT places. There is bad work, good work and the best out there so you should check anything quoted as being rebuilt today. Case in point I just took apart a diff that was rebuilt by a well-known vette shop. The lash was way off, the posi cracked, and had no preload on the bearings. It clearly was slapped together and shipped and this time it wasn't from anyone in TX.

To replace the bearing support, you have to remove the inner flange, the parking brake shoes, and then the 4 nuts holding the support to the arms. Then rust is probably holding it in place- although if they were rebuilt then it should come out.

Jebby is correct, the cupped washer is a one time part.

 

Thank you everyone!

 

I want to throw a shout out to Gary GTR1999.......
I messaged him Saturday while at work to get some insight on the ins and outs of rear bearing setup and replacement........I still have not tackled mine although the car is half tore apart......other things keep popping up that require my attention.
Gary and I talked for about an hour on the phone and I can tell you right now he knows what he is talking about without a doubt and it was a pleasure speaking to a knowledgeable person with a machinist background......he is also humble and happy to help.
The rear bearing on these is one part of a Corvette that I have never had to mess with for whatever reason.......I was not the least but scared to tackle this but just wanted to know the correct procedure so i could get it right in my head.....because if I cannot visualize why and how something works....or understand why someone does what they do in a procedure then I struggle doing it......welcome to Aspy-ville, population me.
After one hour I know I can do these now with confidence......as well as save myself hundreds of dollars......
Funny thing about this now is I could and would never send mine out for someone to do as it is the same with the engines.......unless I do it myself I cannot 100% trust the job.
I would have no issues with sending mine to Gary besides paying him .....honestly I need to save for my garage renovation.......
Thanks Gary man.....you are an asset to the community......

Jebby

 

I can second this. I have been to Gary's old shop a few times and his new one once. He is the one to go to for rear ends and trailing arms and such. He has forgotten more about these setups than most know. His ship is very nice and when it leaves his place you know it will be right. He has always been very helpful over the phone. I think most here will agree he is an asset to the C3 guys here.

 

One thing that Gary did explain to me is something that no one does and is tapered bearing install 101.......to get correct end play.....you cannot just sandwich the **** together and measure it.....the bearing has to be rotated with the tool installed so the rollers fall into place and get "acquainted" with each other......this will change the measurement a bunch.....and it is something I know well because this actually happens on front bearings too......as a kid I was shown how to do front rotor bearings and this was explained to me by my shop teacher (this was the ONLY thing I learned from that idiot....)......to get proper clearance to properly preload and back off the nut...the rotor has to be spun a few times.....
Over the years.....I would remove rotors on Hot Rods and such and would be appalled to find the rotor loose as ****.....and this is the exact reason why. This one little detail separates the men from the boys on these.....and makes perfect sense to me.

Jebby

 

Not meaning to "hijack", but this question might be helpful to anyone else reading here. I have offset trailing arms From Van Steel with the bearing/spindle already installed. Is there anything I can do, short of taking them all apart, to check them before I install them?