Trailing Arm Seperation? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tomfg · 02-01-2004, 05:26 PM

Has anyone ever had problems with the trailing arms on chevy pickup with the rear coil spring suspension? I'm in the process of restoring the truck, and noticed much rust / corrosion between the two pieces of metal that are spot welded together, which make up one trailing arm. I'm afraid that some of the spot welds may be ate through. The arms themselves seem solid. I was thinking of drilling a couple of holes and putting in some bolts to make sure the arms stay together. Has anyone done something similar or have any suggestions? Thanks, Tom

PJ_STYLES · 02-01-2004, 05:56 PM

What i did with mine was drilled and air chiseled out the old rivots. Then i swund the arms apart as much as i could like opening a pair of scissors. (that way i kept the original bushings in without taking them out) Sandblasted, primered and painted the arms, then bolted them back together. But when i bolted them back together i stuck a few washers in between them so it would leave a 1/8" or so gap to let water, dirt etc. out and keep them from rusting out anyfurther.

It worked geat.

rodnok1 · 02-01-2004, 07:32 PM

I drilled all my rivets out, blasted and painted the insides, then welded them solid were the seams were, also welded the rivet holes shut, That should solve the crapin between the pieces problems. Just put them back on today.

zenish · 02-01-2004, 09:30 PM

some one,i believe early classic,sells full lengh reinforcing plates that weld on and box the trailing arms.

tomfg · 02-02-2004, 12:16 AM

Thanks for all your comments on the trailing arms.
Will have to look tomorrow to see if my arms have
rivets...... swore that they are spot welded
together. If I can get the pieces apart, I'll paint
in between them with Por-15 and bolt them back
together tight..... and maybe fill the seems
with something. Thanks!

02-01-2004, 05:26 PM	#1
tomfg Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Land Of 10,000 Misquitos Posts: 134	Trailing Arm Seperation? Has anyone ever had problems with the trailing arms on chevy pickup with the rear coil spring suspension? I'm in the process of restoring the truck, and noticed much rust / corrosion between the two pieces of metal that are spot welded together, which make up one trailing arm. I'm afraid that some of the spot welds may be ate through. The arms themselves seem solid. I was thinking of drilling a couple of holes and putting in some bolts to make sure the arms stay together. Has anyone done something similar or have any suggestions? Thanks, Tom

02-01-2004, 05:56 PM	#2
PJ_STYLES Rockers1/2"off the ground Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 205	What i did with mine was drilled and air chiseled out the old rivots. Then i swund the arms apart as much as i could like opening a pair of scissors. (that way i kept the original bushings in without taking them out) Sandblasted, primered and painted the arms, then bolted them back together. But when i bolted them back together i stuck a few washers in between them so it would leave a 1/8" or so gap to let water, dirt etc. out and keep them from rusting out anyfurther. It worked geat. __________________ 1962 fleetside: bodydropped,shaved,bagged,custom 64 suspension,clear taillights,custom aluminum parts,rollin on 100 spoke player wire wheels. http://www.finelinedesignz.ca

02-01-2004, 07:32 PM	#3
rodnok1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Linden, North Carolina Posts: 617	I drilled all my rivets out, blasted and painted the insides, then welded them solid were the seams were, also welded the rivet holes shut, That should solve the crapin between the pieces problems. Just put them back on today. __________________ 64 Panel Rebuild Pics Clutch Replacement and Borg Warner T10 Trans Rebuild 64 Panel 1/2 Ton 350cubes/400hp BorgWarner t-10 3:73 Auburn Posi

02-02-2004, 12:16 AM	#5
tomfg Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Land Of 10,000 Misquitos Posts: 134	Thanks on the trailing arm tips Thanks for all your comments on the trailing arms. Will have to look tomorrow to see if my arms have rivets...... swore that they are spot welded together. If I can get the pieces apart, I'll paint in between them with Por-15 and bolt them back together tight..... and maybe fill the seems with something. Thanks!

02-01-2004, 09:30 PM	#4
zenish Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: stallings,nc Posts: 401	some one,i believe early classic,sells full lengh reinforcing plates that weld on and box the trailing arms.



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