Is this a common problem? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bucket · 09-16-2003, 02:45 PM

i think the trailing arm on my c20 is coming apart. there is a plate on the bottom of each arm. looks to be spot welded in place. one of them is actually peeling off from the front. are these plates factory or have they been added? i'm thinking about just plug welding back into place with my MIG.

Also,

I have a part-time landscaping buisness and this beast is my mule. last weekend had her loaded down with sod and a 12' utility trailer w/ trees. the back end sagged so far that the panhard? mount on the axle crushed my new exhaust that exits behind the rear wheel. i'm probably should replace the 35 year old springs. anyone have suggestions on heavy duty springs or ways the exhaust should be routed over the axle?

*Randy70C-10* · 09-16-2003, 02:55 PM

Wow, a C-20 is a heavy duty truck to begin with, you must have really loaded her up. :p You may just need to order a new pair of springs, they aren't all that expensive. You should replace the shocks as well if you haven't yet. I can't remember anything about the trailing arms, I'd go look except that I'm 6,000 miles from my truck right now.

**Joesjunk** · 09-16-2003, 03:13 PM

Yes, 3/4 ton's had a plate welded along the bottom of the trailing arm. You can just weld it back on.

bucket · 09-16-2003, 03:37 PM

thanks.

I don't believe I have really been loading it down more than was originally designed to handle. I'm sure springs are bad. stock springs and shocks OK? is it worth replacing trailing arm bushings while i'm at it?

**COBALT** · 09-16-2003, 03:55 PM

You can have those plates reinforced with a little welding, but if you're up to it just rebuild the rear-end. Just support the axle, remove the shocks, remove the panhard bar, undo the bolts on the springs. Getting the bolts out of the frame and the trailing arms for the springs can be a pain. Also, the U-bolts have to be cut.

I got my trailing arm and panhard bar bushings from Energy Suspensions through Early Classic Enterprises, and I got all my new hardware from either the local fastener outlet (Tacoma Screw), or from LMC. I cleaned and painted the springs, panhardbar, trailing arms, and shock brackets, and put it all back together with some KYB shocks. Worked great.

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 09-16-2003, 08:28 PM

If your trailing arms are spreading take them off and clean the crud and dirt out from between the halfs and reweld them back together, then using 3/16 steel restrap them every 12" to keep them from spreading again. TRW or MOOG 3/4 ton rear coil springs are progressive rate and will get stiffer the heavier you load it but ride pretty good empty. Reconditioned trailing arms are available through us, Springs from us or most good auto parts stores.

Longhorn Man · 09-16-2003, 11:14 PM

And maybe some POR15 to keep them that way for a long time.

FRENCHBLUE72 · 09-16-2003, 11:28 PM

You could also dig up some factory overload''s to help on the panhard bar versus exhaust fight...

09-16-2003, 02:45 PM	#1
bucket Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 923	Is this a common problem? i think the trailing arm on my c20 is coming apart. there is a plate on the bottom of each arm. looks to be spot welded in place. one of them is actually peeling off from the front. are these plates factory or have they been added? i'm thinking about just plug welding back into place with my MIG. Also, I have a part-time landscaping buisness and this beast is my mule. last weekend had her loaded down with sod and a 12' utility trailer w/ trees. the back end sagged so far that the panhard? mount on the axle crushed my new exhaust that exits behind the rear wheel. i'm probably should replace the 35 year old springs. anyone have suggestions on heavy duty springs or ways the exhaust should be routed over the axle?

09-16-2003, 03:13 PM	#3
Joesjunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Independence MO. Posts: 7,702	Yes, 3/4 ton's had a plate welded along the bottom of the trailing arm. You can just weld it back on. __________________ 72 3/4t Custom Deluxe 402/auto 66k Original paint 71 3/4t 4x4 Custom Deluxe 10k original miles Original paint 71 3/4t Cheyenne 402 70k original paint 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 91k original paint 72 Cheyenne/30 Dually 69 Camaro SS396 4-speed 13 GMC 2500HD Duramax I bought new 05 Jeep Wrangler "Willys Edition" 12k miles (I bought new) 85 3/4 ton 4x4 Scottsdale 33k miles original paint 86 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 454 restored 80 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 9,434 original miles!! original paint 95 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 my dad bought new 95 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4, regular cab 454, 31k original miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 6.0L 67k miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 8.1L 28k miles 2003 GMC 2500HD 4x4 regular cab Diesel 93k miles 67-72 Parts for sale

09-16-2003, 03:55 PM	#5
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	You can have those plates reinforced with a little welding, but if you're up to it just rebuild the rear-end. Just support the axle, remove the shocks, remove the panhard bar, undo the bolts on the springs. Getting the bolts out of the frame and the trailing arms for the springs can be a pain. Also, the U-bolts have to be cut. I got my trailing arm and panhard bar bushings from Energy Suspensions through Early Classic Enterprises, and I got all my new hardware from either the local fastener outlet (Tacoma Screw), or from LMC. I cleaned and painted the springs, panhardbar, trailing arms, and shock brackets, and put it all back together with some KYB shocks. Worked great. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

09-16-2003, 08:28 PM	#6
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	If your trailing arms are spreading take them off and clean the crud and dirt out from between the halfs and reweld them back together, then using 3/16 steel restrap them every 12" to keep them from spreading again. TRW or MOOG 3/4 ton rear coil springs are progressive rate and will get stiffer the heavier you load it but ride pretty good empty. Reconditioned trailing arms are available through us, Springs from us or most good auto parts stores. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

09-16-2003, 11:28 PM	#8
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,608	You could also dig up some factory overload''s to help on the panhard bar versus exhaust fight... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

09-16-2003, 02:55 PM	#2
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	Wow, a C-20 is a heavy duty truck to begin with, you must have really loaded her up. :p You may just need to order a new pair of springs, they aren't all that expensive. You should replace the shocks as well if you haven't yet. I can't remember anything about the trailing arms, I'd go look except that I'm 6,000 miles from my truck right now.

09-16-2003, 03:37 PM	#4
bucket Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 923	thanks. I don't believe I have really been loading it down more than was originally designed to handle. I'm sure springs are bad. stock springs and shocks OK? is it worth replacing trailing arm bushings while i'm at it?

09-16-2003, 11:14 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	And maybe some POR15 to keep them that way for a long time.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.