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

Howitzer · 11-08-2012, 05:09 PM

I Just got finished getting the frame sandblasted and straightened and was about to start painting the underside and I noticed my trailing arm cross member saddles don't look quite right. The one on the left looks to be pushed in with bent metal, and bolts instead of rivets now.

Should i try and build out the difference in spacing with washer or a metal fab'd spacer, or get a new one?

I can't seem to find a stock replacement, Porterbuilt says their carrier bearing model would have to be modified as it wouldn't be at the correct distance.

P.S. it's a '72 Cheyenne SWB with a TH400 and 2 piece drive shaft, not the billet (small) style carrier bearing.

Thoughts? Help with sourcing a replacement?

Thanks!

airdale94 · 11-08-2012, 07:21 PM

I'd say it's supposed to be that way. But I don't know. I can't imagine what force would do that. The bracket was probably rusted and someone just replaced it is why it's bolted on.

weever82 · 11-08-2012, 07:54 PM

I'd guess that maybe the rivets could have been coming loose so they drilled out the rivets and just bolted it into the crossmember...

Weev-

Leftlane · 11-08-2012, 08:54 PM

I've got a '71 shortbwd, and my TA xmember is out of the frame right now.

I just went out and looked at it. Both sides are symetrical.
It looks as though (In your first photo) the right side has been pulled rearward.
Both should be smooth flats as yours looks on the left side.
Is that the side that's bolted in?
Posted via Mobile Device

midniteblues · 11-08-2012, 08:56 PM

If you ask me I'd say it looks tweaked pushed in on one side and not the other but in pics it sure is hard too tell. maybe some accurate measurements will tell you

Howitzer · 11-08-2012, 10:41 PM

I think the left side looks pushed in (top pic). The pushed in side is the one with the bolts on it, just a different angle looking at the truck. The pushed in side has just over a 1/4 inch difference in distance from the cross member to the outermost edge of the trailing arm bracket compared to the other side. It's hard to tell from the picture but the pushed in side also has a bit of a wave on the the vertical portion of the left inboard bracket.

At any rate, i've found a used one for $50 and am going to give it a try!

midniteblues · 11-08-2012, 11:18 PM

At any rate, i've found a used one for $50 and am going to give it a try

at that price you cant go wrong it could save you alot of headaches down the road.
now you'll have to get the new one blasted

11-08-2012, 05:09 PM	#1
Howitzer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 135	Trailing Arm Crossmember I Just got finished getting the frame sandblasted and straightened and was about to start painting the underside and I noticed my trailing arm cross member saddles don't look quite right. The one on the left looks to be pushed in with bent metal, and bolts instead of rivets now. Should i try and build out the difference in spacing with washer or a metal fab'd spacer, or get a new one? I can't seem to find a stock replacement, Porterbuilt says their carrier bearing model would have to be modified as it wouldn't be at the correct distance. P.S. it's a '72 Cheyenne SWB with a TH400 and 2 piece drive shaft, not the billet (small) style carrier bearing. Thoughts? Help with sourcing a replacement? Thanks! Attached Images Last edited by Howitzer; 11-08-2012 at 05:21 PM.

11-08-2012, 07:21 PM	#2
airdale94 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Topeka,KS Posts: 778	Re: Trailing Arm Crossmember I'd say it's supposed to be that way. But I don't know. I can't imagine what force would do that. The bracket was probably rusted and someone just replaced it is why it's bolted on. __________________ 68' C20. 283CI w/55CC 305HO heads, NP435 Close Ratio, Corp. 14 bolt FF 3.21, 75' front end swap (everything but the X-member).

11-08-2012, 07:54 PM	#3
weever82 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 551	Re: Trailing Arm Crossmember I'd guess that maybe the rivets could have been coming loose so they drilled out the rivets and just bolted it into the crossmember... Weev- __________________ Weev- Life's tough...... It's even tougher when your stupid - John Wayne

11-08-2012, 08:54 PM	#4
Leftlane Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 118	Re: Trailing Arm Crossmember I've got a '71 shortbwd, and my TA xmember is out of the frame right now. I just went out and looked at it. Both sides are symetrical. It looks as though (In your first photo) the right side has been pulled rearward. Both should be smooth flats as yours looks on the left side. Is that the side that's bolted in? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1971 C10 SWB 350/350 A/C PS PDB

11-08-2012, 08:56 PM	#5
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,394	Re: Trailing Arm Crossmember If you ask me I'd say it looks tweaked pushed in on one side and not the other but in pics it sure is hard too tell. maybe some accurate measurements will tell you __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.

11-08-2012, 10:41 PM	#6
Howitzer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 135	Re: Trailing Arm Crossmember I think the left side looks pushed in (top pic). The pushed in side is the one with the bolts on it, just a different angle looking at the truck. The pushed in side has just over a 1/4 inch difference in distance from the cross member to the outermost edge of the trailing arm bracket compared to the other side. It's hard to tell from the picture but the pushed in side also has a bit of a wave on the the vertical portion of the left inboard bracket. At any rate, i've found a used one for $50 and am going to give it a try!

11-08-2012, 11:18 PM	#7
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,394	Re: Trailing Arm Crossmember At any rate, i've found a used one for $50 and am going to give it a try at that price you cant go wrong it could save you alot of headaches down the road. now you'll have to get the new one blasted __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.

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