How to fix my split trailing arm...or should I replace?

[oldblue1968chevy]

Long story short, got in a wreck (t boned).

Broke my panhard/track arm bar, carrier bearing, and split my trailing arm.

Can I fix my trailing arm or is it done? I just sandblasted/painted it/put new pushings in it..It looks like it was just rivited together..can I weld it back? Can I bolt it back? How should I go about fixing it? And it was a 'totaled' truck. So will I have to get it checked out before it goes back on the road? Thanks guys! Here is a pic I can get more if needed.

Edit, in this picture, it doesnt look freshly painted, I guess it got roughened up slightly..lol the nuts on the U bolts just slid right on through...

[big_al_71]

I would not risk it and replace both with new trailing arms like the ones from ECE is what I did with my truck.

[usmcchevy]

I would find good used and replace it. Something tells me even if you get it back together it will never be quite straight or the same.

[oldblue1968chevy]

..what about factory (JUNKYARD) trailing arms that arent rusted out? Im not building a show truck or anything. Im on a HS budget but dont wanna half butt stuff. Are Swb and lwb trailing arms the same? and ya think i could get my old bushings out of my arms and press em back in a diff. set?

Reason I ask on here because everyone around here is cheap and willing to...rig...something together, whether is safe or not...I hate to go to alot of trouble to replace if its safe and reasonable to patch my existing arm.

Thanks keep it comming
yikes ECE arms are nearly 500$ lol

[oldblue1968chevy]

should I replace both??
Man bigal your making me jealous...may call ECE about a drop kit while im there again..but will probably keep factory arms..

[big_al_71]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

should I replace both??
Man bigal your making me jealous...may call ECE about a drop kit while im there again..but will probably keep factory arms..

Sorry, not trying to make you jealous. I just like to do things one time and well done. You could also get two used ones and reuse your new bushings. There are plenty of guys here that sell used parts. Whatever you do, do not rig it up. Good luck!!! If I still had mine I would just give them to you but I sold them for shipping cost almost a year ago.

[Longhorn Man]

good used is fine, 3/4 ton would be better... SWB, LWB, fleet/step... all the same size.

[dan42]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

good used is fine, 3/4 ton would be better... SWB, LWB, fleet/step... all the same size.

? 3/4 ton? They are all leaf springs I thought...

[Sillyoldman]

Originally Posted by dan42

? 3/4 ton? They are all leaf springs I thought...

My 63 c20 has trailing arms. Glad it does. Made it easier to lower. I used 1/2 ton coils.

[Fitz]

Truck Builder, October 2003 has an article on reinforcing trailing arms- Strong Arm Tactics Installing Trailing Arm Reinforcement Kits

It's available on-line on ECE's website. The reason for pointing this out is simple...this article discisses how to reinforce a set of arms but you could also repair yours in this fashion if you're uncomfortable with just replacing the rivets with bolts. TX Firefighter is right, if the arms aren't bent just run a bead re-attaching the two halves...for a fix on a budget that will work nicely, just be sure to clamp the two halves together with the U bolts in their holes so you're sure everything will line up correctly while you tack weld them together. If you aren't comfortable with your welding skills get a quote from a welding shop and compare it to a price for replacements...if you're humble a welder may help you or just check on the shipping costs for Ripdog's arms.

[Shaky]

I posted some pictures of what I did to my 3/4-ton arms in this thread:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=397793

[Sillyoldman]

I'd weld it up if its not bent.

[John Fabris]

3/4 can have trailing arms as well, Easy to identify as 3/4 arms have extra plate welded on bottom of arm.

[ripdog28]

I went with ECE and i have my stockers in the garage if you want to pay for SH. They are still intact just surface grime. I can take pics if you want.

[Tx Firefighter]

I'd clamp it tightly back together and stitch it up with the welder. It's just metal, not something exotic. Get it tightly back together, straight and give it hell.

[oldblue1968chevy]

LOL

No hard feelings Al! I understand, I like things the best too! I just dont wanna spend 500 on on a 2500 truck that you'll never see the arms, your trucks a beauty!

Weld it or bolt it? Anyone? Where should I place the welds?

[Shyguy]

It really depends on a couple of things, is the arm straight and how fast and hard do you drive your truck.

The way I drive I would feel safe if the arm is straight to bolt the arm together in about 4 places and then weld it. Bolting it together would get the arm pulled together so the welding could be done right.

I am an old guy and rarely ever drive my truck over 55 mph. At my age I have no need for speed in my old trucks. I do occasionally have the urge to light up the tires, though.

Danny

[62ramptruck]

Not sure how far you are from Western Kentucky but I could probably come up with a trailing arm but shipping it would be a b*!tch. If there was no serious metal damage I would have no issues welding the one you have however I would want to make sure it was not twisted.

[oldblue1968chevy]

well i got it off and it looks striaght i'll get some pics...and where the panhard bar bolts to the rear axle, the stud comming off looks a little bent..i'll post a pic it may suppost to be like that idk..

thanks

[jay6891]

Mine Split when I was knocking the u bolt out for rear end swap. I just finished drilling out the rest of the spot welds and cleaned up with a grinder. Primed the inside and put pieces back together with bolts and clamps and welded them up. IMO will be stronger than the original 1/2 ton arms that I had.

[crushermechanic]

if you need sombody to weld them for you i can do it for you. just bring them to the boro.

[sweetnlow67]

i am putting air ride on my 67 and am switching to a 4 link...

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[oldblue1968chevy]

Well, im still undecided. My neighbor is a welder by trade (used to do nuclear powerplants in Fl) and welds at a local air force base...i'll see if he cant do it soon otherwise i'll get a factory arm or find someone else that can weld.

thanks crusher! Id take ya up on it but my blue truck is my DD and I dont have another vehicle, id love to check out your truck(s) sometime!

I got it all tore down today. Im getting new u bolts for drop blocks, I got my panhard bar off the axle side, but cant drive the bolt out on the frame side? Any tips?

I think my stud comming off the axle got a little bent, MAYBE i'll post pics tomorow for you guys to see. And dad bought me the wrong carrier bearing today, but he picked me up a tranny seal. got it installed tonite,

things to do:
?trailing arm?
need a panhard/track bar
maybe rear axle
order my new u bolts
get my bedside off
find/install new bedside, Tim is helping me on this one, how much yall think it'll cost to ship a bedside from KS to TN? thanks!

['72customdeluxe]

Look on eBay for used stock car trailing arms. Under 100$ a pair I believe. and they're a direct fit. A member on here went with that option and posted about it.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Well, the arms I havent arent bent, just split in 2 parts, I just sandblasted and painted them and installed new bushings I hate to ditch them but Dont wanna rig it together....