What's up with my trailing arms?
 

After looking at many pics of projects in this section, I realize that there is something strange going on with my truck's trailing arms. Mine have space between the two halves. Didn't realize this was not correct. Also, I thought that the stuff in the space was just rotted wood debris from the decayed bed, but after getting a closer look with the bed off, I can tell it is metal. I have no idea why that would be in between the two halves of the trailing arms.

Not sure what to do here...

Here are the scenarios that I can think of:
- do nothing
- try and knock that strange metal out of there and squeeze the halves back together, then bolt or weld
- start shopping for a pair of arms

Thanks for any thoughts.

Here's the pics:

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ps18577ab1.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...pse66a2a75.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...psd0eaf441.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...psb653773b.jpg

Re: What's up with my trailing arms?
 

looks like you need to find a new set man!
or start drilling and bolt them back together

Re: What's up with my trailing arms?
 

Yea, that crap is not supposed to be in there.. It looks like rust build up.

Re: What's up with my trailing arms?
 

I have 2 sets if your interested

Re: What's up with my trailing arms?
 

Thanks, sent you a PM.

I really don't think that the stuff in between the halves is rusting OE metal. The arms look good from the sides. It's like someone jammed it in there... a long time ago. I'll see if I can knock some of it out.

Re: What's up with my trailing arms?
 

Mine started doing that too (original Canadian pieces). It was rust that was spreading them apart so I replaced them.
The wood is probably desbris that fell down from the bed floor (or the bed floor itself).
Greg.

Re: What's up with my trailing arms?
 

Time to replace those truck arms. The sides should be in contact but them are bout ready to fail and I doubt boltin em up will be a long term fix.

Re: What's up with my trailing arms?
 

Folks in rusty areas of the country call that rust jacking. When two tightly joined pieces of steel rust, they wedge apart like that.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: What's up with my trailing arms?
 

Mine were the same way. I also thought it was some sort of wood. Just rust and dirt. The u-bolts and spring cup bolts are also in there and they were almost rusted into. Bad design.

Re: What's up with my trailing arms?
 

Jay , have to agree with everyone above here, Replace them! Only problem is to find a good set around this part of the country.

Re: What's up with my trailing arms?
 

I have never seen a set of trailing arms look like that, must be all that salt in your diet, luckily its illegal here to salt.

Re: What's up with my trailing arms?
 

Brought this truck up from Arkansas... found out that it lived in Wisconsin for most of its life :(

Re: What's up with my trailing arms?
 

I think some bondo would fix it!

Re: What's up with my trailing arms?
 

Time to replace them

Re: What's up with my trailing arms?
 

Welcome to the things we deal with in the midwest