Rebuilding TAs
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2020
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From: Central Florida
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Rebuilding TAs
I’ve been on the fence about rebuilding my own TAs or taking them to Van Steel. I live less than two hours from Van Steel and work in that area on occasion so I do have that as an advantage. When I review what needs to be done to rebuild them it doesn’t seem like it’s too bad a job for a diyer. What are you alls thoughts on this for those that have done it?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2019
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it's doable , you'll need the wheel bearing tool and you'll need the tool that flairs out the steel inner sleeve when you install new front bushings in the TA , I have the wheel bearing tool but improvised on the flairing tool , if I did it again I would buy the flairing tool , on mine I replaced everything from hardware , backing plates , wheel bearings, e brake shoes , cables and hardware on my black 80 and install one item in the wrong order and you have to dis assemble the whole thing , if I had to do the same for my white 80 I'll probably buy the exchange from Van Steel just to save the time
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Temple Terrace Florida
Van Steel is local for me as well. They did the trailing arms on my 66 and 68. I even installed poly in my 66 that promptly broke apart. They replaced the bushings while I waited. The labor was free. I paid a nominal fee for the bushings. Why take a chance. By the time you purchase the tools, sand blast and powder coat the arms, it is more cost effective to have them done by Van Steel. Jerry
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2020
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From: Central Florida
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
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I just got mine done by Gary Ramedei (GTR1999) here on this forum for my 64. Can't say enough about how well they came out. Attention to detail and excellent service. I would certainly have him do another set.
Brandon Unklesbay
All-In Performance, LLC
Brandon Unklesbay
All-In Performance, LLC
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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I bought some of the tools, made some of the tools back in the early 90's. Just to properly grease the bearings you need to press out spindles. So owning tools makes sense.
Geez, I only changed the front bushings the one time, but have had spindles out numerous times over the years.
And a fair few friends like to borrow these tools as well.
If your keeping the car long term. Buy the tools. Learn to setup bearing end play, (It's just like doing 73-99 Harley wheels and I'm a Harley mechanic).
The next time you need to work on something back there or just want to grease things. You'll be glad you have the tools.
Geez, I only changed the front bushings the one time, but have had spindles out numerous times over the years.
And a fair few friends like to borrow these tools as well.
If your keeping the car long term. Buy the tools. Learn to setup bearing end play, (It's just like doing 73-99 Harley wheels and I'm a Harley mechanic).
The next time you need to work on something back there or just want to grease things. You'll be glad you have the tools.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,586
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From: Central Florida
2024 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 956
From: Central Florida
2024 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I bought some of the tools, made some of the tools back in the early 90's. Just to properly grease the bearings you need to press out spindles. So owning tools makes sense.
Geez, I only changed the front bushings the one time, but have had spindles out numerous times over the years.
And a fair few friends like to borrow these tools as well.
If your keeping the car long term. Buy the tools. Learn to setup bearing end play, (It's just like doing 73-99 Harley wheels and I'm a Harley mechanic).
The next time you need to work on something back there or just want to grease things. You'll be glad you have the tools.
Geez, I only changed the front bushings the one time, but have had spindles out numerous times over the years.
And a fair few friends like to borrow these tools as well.
If your keeping the car long term. Buy the tools. Learn to setup bearing end play, (It's just like doing 73-99 Harley wheels and I'm a Harley mechanic).
The next time you need to work on something back there or just want to grease things. You'll be glad you have the tools.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Cost doing it yourself, one shim kit for spindle bearings, buy a full kit with a center spacer, Sometimes switching center spacers can get you closer to min spec without the need to surface grind shims. Timken bearings are available at every bearing shop. Very common bearings. Outer seals. Cheap as.
Rubber bushings for front of arm. Also cheap.
Cost to rebuld them yourself is VERY low. If your spindles are shot. Well, that costs.
Rubber bushings for front of arm. Also cheap.
Cost to rebuld them yourself is VERY low. If your spindles are shot. Well, that costs.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,676
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From: Huntsville AL
Nothing difficult about doing this if you have the correct tools, the cost of new bearings, bushing, seals etc. won't break the bank. In addition to special tools you will need an air compressor, sand blast cabinet, shop press etc. to go along with those "special tools" you will have to buy. I have all of the above and have rebuilt two sets of T/A's so it's doable for the DIY'er.
What you have going for you that most people do not is that you are local to a location (Van Steel) that does this for a living so you don't have to pay for outrageous shipping cost. If I was in your shoes I would just drop them off at VS and call it a day.
What you have going for you that most people do not is that you are local to a location (Van Steel) that does this for a living so you don't have to pay for outrageous shipping cost. If I was in your shoes I would just drop them off at VS and call it a day.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: SW Florida.
it is worth it for 4-vettes as he is in australia. trailing arms are among the few jobs on our cars that farming out makes more sense. rears, auto trans are a couple more. exhaust and windshield are on the fence.
Race Director
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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I don't know Derek, I purchased tools and made a few long before I moved to Australia.
Setting up timkin bearing end play or staking a bushing sleave is just not Rocket science.
And No, I don't care what side of the planet I'm on. Can't see paying someone else to do a job I can do myself.
Now painting??? Well, that's outside my patience level.
Setting up timkin bearing end play or staking a bushing sleave is just not Rocket science.
And No, I don't care what side of the planet I'm on. Can't see paying someone else to do a job I can do myself.
Now painting??? Well, that's outside my patience level.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
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From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I’ve been on the fence about rebuilding my own TAs or taking them to Van Steel. I live less than two hours from Van Steel and work in that area on occasion so I do have that as an advantage. When I review what needs to be done to rebuild them it doesn’t seem like it’s too bad a job for a diyer. What are you alls thoughts on this for those that have done it?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 956
From: Central Florida
2024 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I don't know Derek, I purchased tools and made a few long before I moved to Australia.
Setting up timkin bearing end play or staking a bushing sleave is just not Rocket science.
And No, I don't care what side of the planet I'm on. Can't see paying someone else to do a job I can do myself.
Now painting??? Well, that's outside my patience level.
Setting up timkin bearing end play or staking a bushing sleave is just not Rocket science.
And No, I don't care what side of the planet I'm on. Can't see paying someone else to do a job I can do myself.
Now painting??? Well, that's outside my patience level.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 956
From: Central Florida
2024 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 956
From: Central Florida
2024 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Probably a dumb question but do you have to do a realignment once done?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,655
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From: Indiana
should you yes..IMO
no bearing but everything else below
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nd-advice.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
https://www.digitalcorvettes.com/thr...uilding.77000/