Trailing Arms

[LIRacer]

I want to install offset trailing arms so I can get some wider meats without doing any fender surgery. Anyone have the procedure? My shop is well equipped.

 

[67HEAVEN]

It's the same procedure as for regular arms. Your main difficulty will likely be in removing the large bolts/castle nuts where the front of the trailing arms pivot of the frame. A sawzall is usually the final solution.

Spray plenty of release all on the nuts as well as on the nuts at the lower shock mounts 24 hours before starting.

Have fun and be sure to get the car secured on heavy-duty stands with a backup (such as a spare wheel/tire slipped under the frame) in case something bad happens.

 

[67HEAVEN]

By the way, the usual problem area for tire clearance (even with offset arms) is where the end of the transverse leaf spring meets the wheels. Also, depending on whether you have a rear anti-sway bar or not, you may have clearance issues there as well.

 

[LIRacer]

I was hoping to find the procedure for trailing arm replacement. I have the car on a lift.

 

[67HEAVEN]

The job you've assigned yourself is one of the most difficult tasks on Corvettes. EVERYTHING about the Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) is difficult for the novice. You may find it advantageous to enlist the help of someone in your area who is experienced in working on them.

For example, here's some information about the complexities of setting up the rotor/trailing arm assembly, on the bench, assuming you haven't purchased completely rebuilt assemblies. That alone is difficult for a novice.

http://www.corvette-restoration.com/rotor_runout.htm

We'll help with the information.

More after you read the above.

 

[LIRacer]

That looks complicated, but I have all winter and I can always have my local Vette tech undo what I screw up. Sometines you gotta get your hands dirty.

 

[67HEAVEN]

Although this description is centred on replacing the trailing arm bushings, I think the step-by-step instuctions are what you.re looking for.

http://www.micro-controls.com/cartools-bushing.html

Ask more questions if you wish.

 

[JohnZ]

I want to install offset trailing arms so I can get some wider meats without doing any fender surgery. Anyone have the procedure? My shop is well equipped.

Your best friend will be the GM '67 Chassis Service Manual, which has all the step-by-step procedures you'll need; all the usual midyear vendors have it, as does the NCRS on-line store at www.ncrs.org .