Side to side play in Trailing Arms

[Full_Blown]

I've stripped most of the rear end out of my 79 restoration i.e. spring, diff. carrier, half shafts. I'm replacing the original 9 leaf spring with a 7 leaf Gymkana, Urethane spring bushings, installing braided steel brake lines, U joints, upgrading to 3.73 gears and I'm planning to later install a rear sway bar. My question is: Although the Trailing Arms look in realtively good shape, I can rock them side to side about 1/4". Keep in mind there is nothing connected to them presently. Is this normal? Is the an indication that I need to replace the bushings? Your input is appreciated.

Thanks,
Full_Blown

 

[GTR1999]

Are you going through the arms and rebuilding them? replacing the bearings,bushings,painting,Parking Brakes,etc. The arms are held in position by the side shims and cotter pin. Are they still there,if not you'll get play for sure. I would rebuild the arms myself since you're doing everything else back there anyway. I don't like poly bushings for a street car thought.

 

[68Roadster]

FB,
I too am at that stage, mine do move side to side when swinging it from the hub end, however, they are tight at the trailing arm attach bolt end. You should not have any play between the arm, shims and frame. If they are good there, the movement you are experiencing is probably just compression of the bushing as you move it side to side.
How are you refinishing the items you have removed? I was contemplating sandblasting all the components and then spraying them with clear to keep the rust down. Not sure if the factory finish was unfinshed or some type of black - flat, semi gloss??

Cee

 

[Full_Blown]

It's definitely not bushing compression. Too loose. There doesn't appear to be any up - down play just side to side when I rock it in and out from the back end of the arm. I wasn't planning on rebuilding the arms as I've heard they're a real bugger to take off. I was planning to paint the frame and components with POR 15 and the springs, hub shields, diff and drive shafts, etc. with Tremclad rust paint.

Full_Blown