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Van Steel uses Johnny joints I think they are called as an option in their trailing arms, which are a version of these I believe. Maybe Ridetech as well. Actually I think Currie enterprises sells them as well. Also could check Global West. I know they are out there and there have been some threads here on them over the years.
Bill
Last edited by 69ttop502; Dec 2, 2025 at 07:56 AM.
Van Steel uses Johnny joints I think they are called as an option in their trailing arms, which are a version of these I believe. Maybe Ridetech as well. Actually I think Currie enterprises sells them as well. Also could check Global West. I know they are out there and there have been some threads here on them over the years.
I installed the Herb Adams ones in the Mid 80's. These things serve no purpose on a Streetcar. Making a lane change on a freeway and hitting the little lane markers would rattle your fillings out.
Is there anyone who makes these? Anyone have a set they will sell?
I've often thought that some sort of cam shaped washer installed somewhat like this arrangement could fix the trailing arm's rear steering effect on the cart. As the arm rotates up and down, the cam compensates for the steering angle change in the arm. The world wide market for a fix like this is maybe 10 or 20 people. One of you guys needs to get busy!
Geometry wise, the only way to get rid of the rear IRS's self-steering bumpsteer, is to ditch the trailing arms, and go with 2 forward links, and 2 horizontal toe links.
Then you have toe control.
The hub portion of the trailing arm moves in an in & out arc, while the front pivot point is fixed.
Geometry wise, the only way to get rid of the rear IRS's self-steering bumpsteer, is to ditch the trailing arms, and go with 2 forward links, and 2 horizontal toe links.
Then you have toe control.
The hub portion of the trailing arm moves in an in & out arc, while the front pivot point is fixed.
Yup. In my imagination, the front pivot would no longer be fixed. It would move left or right riding on the surface of a cam as dictated by the up and and down tilt motion of the trailing arm.. And as a sort of a bump steer correction. One degree up, X-degrees over. Sounds like a good grad school challenge. Maybe. The gold colored fittings in the picture would become a more complex surface (the "cam").
My trailing arms are from Global West with the ball shaped pivot. A little more freedom of motion but it deoesn't solve any geometry problems. No zerk fitting either, that's kind of cool
Yup. In my imagination, the front pivot would no longer be fixed. It would move left or right riding on the surface of a cam as dictated by the up and and down tilt motion of the trailing arm.. And as a sort of a bump steer correction. One degree up, X-degrees over. Sounds like a good grad school challenge. Maybe. The gold colored fittings in the picture would become a more complex surface (the "cam").
My trailing arms are from Global West with the ball shaped pivot. A little more freedom of motion but it deoesn't solve any geometry problems. No zerk fitting either, that's kind of cool
That looks a bit like the bushing Van Steel installs
As Leigh stated above, solid bushings will not solve a design deficiency in the rear IRS suspension on the C2/C3 cars BUT solid bushings can and will eliminate some of the unwanted suspension movements in BOTH the front upper and lower control arm bushings locations, in the rear trailings arms, and especially in the rear strut rods.
I have not replaced/rebuilt the rear trailing arms on my 78 C3 with 70K miles yet (coming soon to a theater near me) BUT the front upper/lower poly bushings are a dramatic improvement in the handling and steering response with NO noticeable reduction in ride quality with my 17 inch ultra high performance summer only tires, times 2 for the competition heim jointed strut rods in the rear suspension, all 3 on the car for 20+ years. And please, there is no harsh ride increase with these components. NONE!
As Leigh stated above, solid bushings will not solve a design deficiency in the rear IRS suspension on the C2/C3 cars BUT solid bushings can and will eliminate some of the unwanted suspension movements in BOTH the front upper and lower control arm bushings locations, in the rear trailings arms, and especially in the rear strut rods.
I have not replaced/rebuilt the rear trailing arms on my 78 C3 with 70K miles yet (coming soon to a theater near me) BUT the front upper/lower poly bushings are a dramatic improvement in the handling and steering response with NO noticeable reduction in ride quality with my 17 inch ultra high performance summer only tires, times 2 for the competition heim jointed strut rods in the rear suspension, all 3 on the car for 20+ years. And please, there is no harsh ride increase with these components. NONE!
I agree. I have solid steel bushings in th efront control arms and had them in the rear. On the street I also did not have a harsh ride and the car was much better on a road course.
I agree. I have solid steel bushings in th efront control arms and had them in the rear. On the street I also did not have a harsh ride and the car was much better on a road course.
I bought a set of steel lower arm bushings from Guldstrand but found they didn't line up and I didn't know what to do next. I may still have them.
As to 'steel bushings in the rear', I don't know what you mean. Since the "swing arms" rotate as they do, a non-spherical bushing would seem to have major binding issues. That would be the only joint that would otherwise require compliance in the bushing material.
I bought a set of steel lower arm bushings from Guldstrand but found they didn't line up and I didn't know what to do next. I may still have them.
As to 'steel bushings in the rear', I don't know what you mean. Since the "swing arms" rotate as they do, a non-spherical bushing would seem to have major binding issues. That would be the only joint that would otherwise require compliance in the bushing material.
I had a issue getting mine in too. I took some measurements and found the arms were slightly off. That may not be the case for you. I mailed it all to Guldstarnd and they got them in and mailed the arms back.
