Best way to safely replace trailing arms? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

superhondaz50 · 10-02-2017, 06:30 PM

What the best way to safely jack the truck up, put on stands, etc to pull off and replace trailing arms?
Thanks

Ekliptix · 10-02-2017, 06:42 PM

You may get some other responses, but I went through this when replacing my rear coils. I jacked up the left side of the truck from the middle of the frame and put one side of the frame on 2 jack stands. Then repeated the process on the other side of the truck. I was not super comfortable with the jackstands being relatively close to each other front to back, so I put a spare wheel+tire under the engine and put the jack on a rear section of the frame from behind with slight pressure on a rear frame cross member. That was enough for me. Someone else may have a safer idea.

**AussieinNC** · 10-02-2017, 06:58 PM

Depends on the state of the trailing arm front arm pivot bolts and nuts...these can be a bear to tackle if they are "original"...

Best achieved if the bed is off of the truck...but can be done with bed in place.

Place truck load rated car stands under the chassis just in front of the where chassis takes an upward bend near the rear end.

You then need to get the rear axle supported in such a way to allow the removal of the track bar and the shock bottoms.

The rear of the chassis then needs to be raised to a point where the springs are relieved of load tension.

Remove the lower spring retainer bolt and nut.

Remove the U bolt around the rear axle.

Now for the fun...you will need a long breaker bar and a pipe that goes over the breaker bar....begin the remove the front pivot bolt and nut. They will be tight and most likely badly rusted. Lots of penetrating spray,,,lots of patience.

Now...if they are stuck and you cannot loosen them, move the plan B...get yourself a nut splitter or a very sharp cold chisel and split the nut...it will take some time....

Before you start, make sure you have NEW bolts and nuts for the pivots, new U bolts and nuts and new bushes for the track bar....

Have fun ....

superhondaz50 · 10-02-2017, 08:25 PM

Best place for replacement bolts? It's a California truck so only a little surface rust.

10-02-2017, 06:30 PM	#1
superhondaz50 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Behind the Taco Bell dumpster Posts: 296	Best way to safely replace trailing arms? What the best way to safely jack the truck up, put on stands, etc to pull off and replace trailing arms? Thanks

10-02-2017, 06:42 PM	#2
Ekliptix Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 682	Re: Best way to safely replace trailing arms? You may get some other responses, but I went through this when replacing my rear coils. I jacked up the left side of the truck from the middle of the frame and put one side of the frame on 2 jack stands. Then repeated the process on the other side of the truck. I was not super comfortable with the jackstands being relatively close to each other front to back, so I put a spare wheel+tire under the engine and put the jack on a rear section of the frame from behind with slight pressure on a rear frame cross member. That was enough for me. Someone else may have a safer idea. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Super SWB PS, PB, Tach, A/C, Tilt. Drivetrain: Built 402BB, TCI Streetfighter 700R4, 2,500 stall, Eaton posi, 3.73. Suspension/Chassis: ECE 4.5/6.5 drop, CPP nitrogen shocks, CPP front and rear sway bar, CPP cross members. Exhaust: 3" exhaust with x-pipe, Spintech 3000 mufflers, Hooker ceramic coated headers. Best 1/4 mile time: TBD.

10-02-2017, 06:58 PM	#3
AussieinNC Moderator Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 2,204	Re: Best way to safely replace trailing arms? Depends on the state of the trailing arm front arm pivot bolts and nuts...these can be a bear to tackle if they are "original"... Best achieved if the bed is off of the truck...but can be done with bed in place. Place truck load rated car stands under the chassis just in front of the where chassis takes an upward bend near the rear end. You then need to get the rear axle supported in such a way to allow the removal of the track bar and the shock bottoms. The rear of the chassis then needs to be raised to a point where the springs are relieved of load tension. Remove the lower spring retainer bolt and nut. Remove the U bolt around the rear axle. Now for the fun...you will need a long breaker bar and a pipe that goes over the breaker bar....begin the remove the front pivot bolt and nut. They will be tight and most likely badly rusted. Lots of penetrating spray,,,lots of patience. Now...if they are stuck and you cannot loosen them, move the plan B...get yourself a nut splitter or a very sharp cold chisel and split the nut...it will take some time.... Before you start, make sure you have NEW bolts and nuts for the pivots, new U bolts and nuts and new bushes for the track bar.... Have fun ....

10-02-2017, 08:25 PM	#4
superhondaz50 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Behind the Taco Bell dumpster Posts: 296	Re: Best way to safely replace trailing arms? Best place for replacement bolts? It's a California truck so only a little surface rust.

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