Need help with trailing arm replacement and other items:

[74bigblock]

Due to unforseen circumstances, I need to replace my trailing arms. I want to get heavy duty units with rotors pre-installed. I will also be replacing half shafts, U-joints and who knows what else.

For those of you who have tackled this before, can you please give me any pointers/warnings that I should be aware of?

Thanks!
Dave

 

[jclit]

I had a lot of trouble getting the TA bolts back in when I did by TA bushings. Then I read in this form to use a small wire feed it through the bolt hole then through the cotter pin hole on the bolt and pull the bolt through. I don't know if that works but sounds like it may. If it does it will save you many hours of fustration trying to get the bolts in. Hope this helps.

Jim

 

[80convertible]

I just purchased rebuilt trailing arms and still finishing up with painting all the suspension parts before reinstalling. I purchased my trailing arms from Van Steel. They have an excellent reputation and the trailing arms come with new rotors that have already been checked for runout.

I found the removal to be straight forward but kind of a PITA. Some of my bolts were rust seized and required the use of a torch to remove. This is a time consuming, messy project but the end result will be well worth it.

 

[WARVET]

Van Steel has a video that you can get. It shows the whole suspension disassembly (front and rear) and assembly with some tips and tricks. It shows how to feed the bolt through with some long pliers and how to get the arm to ride hight while torqing the bolts.

I just did it this weekend and the video saved me some time. I also got the offset trailing arms with the new rotors from Van Steel (they are awesum). All that's left is to hook up the half shafts and spring and it's done. Hopefully that will be today!!

Good luck.

 

[74bigblock]

I just spoke with VanSteel. They quoted me 296$ each to rebuild my trailing arms... This sounds like a good deal, what do you all think? They clean and powdercoat everything, turn the rotors, install new e-brake hardware, and use Timpkin bearings. All this with a 3-5 day turn around... AND they will be at Bloomington, so I can drop them off in person!

 

[WARVET]

These guys do really good work. I was very impressed with their products and knowledge. I would go for it.

 

[74bigblock]

Dave This sounds like a good Price!! Wheel Baring's Can be a pita This would the way to go!! Are your Trailing Arm's Rusty? And be shure and ck the Torque Box's in frame for rust!! Bad to rust out around trailing arm mount!! gmjunkie!!

Junk...

So I have heard!!! I'm not up for re-pressing those bearings.

The trailing arms themselves aren't too bad, nor the boxes.... just some surface rust. The rest of the brakets etc are all rusty tough (The leaf spring mount, U joints, sway bar mounts). I'm planning on replacing all that while I'm in there. The frame is in good shape... just surface rust.

 

[like2drive]

Last (?) , but surely not least, will be the four wheel alignment. After I completed this project, I hobbled to Bunton's Alignment in Statesville, NC...this guy is just great....When he finished the alignment, I couldn't believe the difference it made!
When you remove the shims take note on how they came out so you can reinstall the same way with your new ones . This should do you untill you get to the Alignment shop.
Getting that bolt out was one of the most frustrating things I've ever done on a car!! went through16 Sawzall blades, over two days! I don't have a cutting torch...(.momma won't let me play with matches:eyerole ) You're lucky that you can drop the parts off in Bloomington....UPS freight for thos things is close to $100. good luck, jim

 

[82X-FireVette]

I had a trailing arm rebuilt by Van Steel. They did a fantastic job. The price increased for mine because I had a cracked bearing housing that they replaced. Another concern will be the spindle, it may not be straight enough to reuse. Mine was bent (the reason I had the arm rebuilt). This added cost as well.

 

[74bigblock]

I had a trailing arm rebuilt by Van Steel. They did a fantastic job. The price increased for mine because I had a cracked bearing housing that they replaced. Another concern will be the spindle, it may not be straight enough to reuse. Mine was bent (the reason I had the arm rebuilt). This added cost as well.

Right on all accounts... Your costs for repair/replacement of parts was still prob much less expensive than new T-arms. I've seen them from $700 to $1049 each with SS hardware.