1985 Rear Trailing Arm Bushings

[greenstingray]

Hello everyone. Just notice that the bushing's on the trailing arms are worn out. Was thinking of just replacing the bushings. Does anyone out there now if you need a speical press to replace them? Looks like there are four trailing arms in the rear.

 

[ErnieN85]

No special tools needed just lots of work! the old bushings need drilled out. lots of drilling with a small bit and taken out bit by bit the poly bushings should press in easily may be need a vise at most!

 

[rrubel]

I think the poly ones are two-piece with a metal core. Most of the front suspension pieces are; haven't gotten to that part of the back yet.

Regarding removal, I used a large flat-bladed screwdriver to wedge between the bushing and the shell around it. Most of them came out in fairly large chunks.

You *will* feel an immediate improvement in handling after this fix... and you'll then want to do the fronts as well.

[RICHR]

 

[Grzldvt]

I did my entire suspension and the rears were so bad they came out with a big screwdriver, just like rrubel. As stated by others, you might as well do everything else. It is amazing the difference the poly bushings make. Mine were 2 piece with a metal sleeve also.
I used a 3 prong wheel puller in combination with the right sized sockets and a vice to remove the rest of the bushings. A home made press if you will. It was fairly easy. The only ones I took to someone were the front upper A arms. I did not have anything that would span the gap in order to get the old ones out.

 

[LarryK 87]

where did ya'all get the bushing kits? and how much where they?

 

[rrubel]

GOt mine from Suspension Restoration - follow this link <http://www.suspension.com/corvette.htm>
for their Vette page. Pricing varies by what year you have and how much you want to replace. I paid more to have the work done on the front A-arms than I did for the entire set of bushings.
[RICHR]

 

[Grzldvt]

That's where I got mine too...