Rear trailing arm and brakes

[crause]

I read a lot of threads about repairing brakes, bearings, e-brakes, etc; there is something that I would like explained to me. I see ads all the time for completely rebuilt rear trailing arm assemblies for between $250 and $350. These come with everything replaced with even SS parts and new rotors, bearings and races and everything you can imagine. They are all pre-assembled to proper specs and tolarances. You must just take the old one off and bolt all the new parts on the new assembly on and thats it! I think that if i ever have to redo these parts of my vette this is the way I am going to go. I don't think you could by the parts seperate for much less.
Is there something I am missing? (I know you have to ship the old rebuildable part back)

Andy

 

[brusso]

Were do you find them for that price? Ecklers has the trailing arm assemblies for $999.99. I've seen the bare trainling arm for about 2 bills.

 

[blasterfdc]

I agree with crause, if mine ever need repaired I am just going to replace them. both Mid america and Zip have them for the price Crause mentioned. They also have them for $999 price brusso mentions but they are new parts and don't require the core charge or you to send back your old ones.

 

[cwerve74]

For a rebuild it is the way I went. There is some machine work that needs to be done on the spindles that is hard if not imposible for the do it at home type. I used Vtech for the rebuild. Very happy with the service. I Think it was $250 ish per arm. There are others. I will say this getting them out of the car was one of the hardest job I have had so far on this car. I think it was money well spent.

 

[brusso]

Well, that makes sense. I think that I would send mine in to save over $600.00 a side.

 

[Bullitt]

I sent my mine out to Eckler's, which uses Van Steel to rebuild the arms. I don't remember how much I spent, but it was well worth it (I might've said a few bucks by going to Van Steel directly). I just sent the bearing assemblies minus the trailing arm, because of stress cracks found on the arms. I'm now using off-set trailing arms with the relocated emergency brake bracket. When you send your parts out, don't forget to insure them just in case.

The hardest part of the job for me involved removing the trailing arm bolt (hacksaw) and then, removing the bearing assembly from the trailing arm. I didn't mind beating the hell out of the trailing arm, since it was junk anyway. It just requires a lot of muscle and patience, especially if there is a good rust build up.

 

[crause]

Most of the best prices that I have seen are in the back of Corvette Magazine. I just saw one for $299 (per side) for the whole package with SS everything that can be and the works. I hope it is a while before I need to tackle this but when I do this is the way I will go.

Andy

 

[bs82vette]

VanSteel is running a very good discount to members of CorvetteForum.com
Also free freight.Their arms have five year unlimited mileage warranty.

 

[Thumper]

I bought my trailing arms from Fastcorvette.com. Couldn't beat the prices and it also helped that they are local to me in the Dallas area. Alan and Mike are first class guys that know their stuff. Mike is a moderator on the C3 tech forum (Stingray6974) here at CAC, and has forgotten more about Vettes than I'll ever know. You should check them out.

 

[GTR1999]

To rebuild an arm you need:

Bearings & seals $25
SS Parking brakes $25
front bushing $15
sheild $25
PB shoes $25
Grease $5

Total per side $120.00

If needed:

NEW bare arms w/studs and Bushing can be had for $120,(dealer cost is $85 BTW.)
New rotor $30

Most times the bearing housing and caliper bracket are re-used.

If you add a couple of hours labor you should have a fair price. Shops already set up to rebuild these get lower prices on parts and have faster turn around times, their profit margin is much higher.

 

[blasterfdc]

but then there are a lot of special tools if I am being told correctly from other people. So if you are only going to do this once or twice wouldn't it be worth having a professional do it. Don't get me wrong I hate paying other people to do work I am willing to do myself and am willing to tackle almost anything.

 

[GTR1999]

For tools you will need:

20 ton press preferred, but some have made a very big slide hammer to remove the spindle.

Spindle setup tool or old spindle to properly set up the bearings.

A spindle knocker tool- I only use it to protect the 3/4-20 threads. IF you can buy a couple of 3/4-20 nuts from McMaster-Carr then they would work too.

1" dial indicator & mag base

1" micrometer or 6" dial calipers

socket for the spindle nut-1.0625"

0-150 ft/lb torque wrench

special clam shell bearing splitter or a good one like Snap On has to remove the outer bearing.

Bushing staking tool,this can be made from anything you can use a 45* flare on.

I think this about covers it for tools, along with normal hand tools.

If you have some or most or have access to a machine shop you might consider doing it. If you don't have any and have never tired to work to close tolerances then you are correct- send them out. If you're thinking of doing a couple of cars then it would be worth the cost to get the tools. Sometimes clubs have guys that do this work or have a couple of guys who want to do it.

Good luck