trailing arms - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

primetime · 07-29-2006, 06:09 AM

does anyone have pics of trailing arms? on or off the truck. how much goes into removing/replacing them. what are the functions of trailing arms?

tphsmith · 07-29-2006, 06:16 AM

removing the trailing arms, well soak all the nuts on the U- bolts with PB Blaster first. see if they will even start to move under the plates under the rear end. and also the nuts on the other end. they will come off but just rem. they have been on for like 30 some years. the trailing arms were the other method of mounting the rear end to the truck frame instead of leaf springs, for suspention on the frame to keep the rear end under the frame.

primetime · 07-29-2006, 12:59 PM

thanks much for the trailing arms 101 lession, can you or others also provide photos?

Solver · 07-29-2006, 11:44 PM

Ok first pic is of trailing arms
For removal they are correct in spraying with PB blaster for a few days unless you have torch. If you have a torch don't sweat it
1: First remove little clip on each trailing arm to release parking brake cable from arm
2: next remove the lower bolt holding the coil spring (spring cup) in place
3: next 4 nuts (2 each arm) on the bottom of the u bolt holding the rear end and shock plates
4: then you can remove 2 front bolts one each arm

Reverse for install

ChevyDude · 07-30-2006, 12:04 AM

I just did all this

. You will need a torch to melt the rubber bushing out the the steel housings. The new poly bushing slip in the old steel housings, pretty easy deal, just takes time.

primetime · 07-30-2006, 03:06 AM

solver that was great. i'm 100% confident that i can swap this out. thanks for the pics and step by step. chevy dude, did you install brand new trailing arms and if so where did you buy them and how much?

**70C10Toejam** · 07-30-2006, 12:22 PM

Early Classic Enterprises sells them. And they sell reinforcement kits for them too.

ChevyDude · 07-30-2006, 12:34 PM

ECE

Quote:

Originally Posted by primetime

chevy dude, did you install brand new trailing arms and if so where did you buy them and how much?

Nope...Those are the original trailing arms...my truck was stored for many years by the wife of the passed on owner. But I did scuff them up and paint them. Here's a few pics as it was and after is was all back together and purdied up!

The process is kind scary taking everything apart...but go at it slowly and I'm sure you'll get it done.

Luvlegs · 07-31-2006, 02:56 PM

Instead of a torch, this weekend I did mine with a drill - small bit - just go around the bushing making holes as close as you can - then with a screw driver, just peel out the chips - took me about 20 minutes to do both - in the shop - no smoke or fire.
The bushings didn't just slide in (even with everything nice and clean/greased) I put a small piece of steel on each side of the arm and used a pair of C-clamps to push them in. After the new ones were in, on the opposite end (there is only one way to push them in by the way) the outter ring needs to be put on - simple also BUT I had to make sure the beveled edge was facing out so that it would slide down into the frame bracket. I'm not sure that last part is correct installation but there was NO WAY mine would go in otherwise.

LUV2XCLR8 · 07-31-2006, 03:11 PM

You can buy them aftermarket, but they are not cheap

Used - Board Members - $200 and up a pair

New - Board Vendors - $400 and up a pair

Tubular Aftermarkets - $600 and up a pair

roughedup72 · 07-31-2006, 07:04 PM

Hey Primetime, Glad to see everything went good on the closing of the new home. Your truck is being picked up and delivered as I type this. The trailering arms are shot. The back u-bolts will be a breeze because I just reinstalled them last week. The front ones will be tough,If you'd like we can get together and go junk yarding on one of my days off. I know of a couple of places that have a few of these trucks that still have the arms on them. We might be able to get them a little cheaper just call and I will be glad to help. Thanks again for taking it off my hands.

primetime · 08-01-2006, 11:06 AM

its funny because my wife was trying to suprise me

. i just got off work and called her to ask how was her day and ect.. as she was telling me same ol' same ol' ,i was reading your reply out loud. haha. but yea, when i make it back from germany show me all the junkyards you can. i was wondering if trailing arms from the swb will work on the lwb?

68haywagon · 08-01-2006, 11:12 AM

Yes they are interchangable.

Mike

Richard Dobson · 08-01-2006, 12:20 PM

What supports the axle, wheels etc. when you remove the TA's? The panhard bar?

roughedup72 · 08-01-2006, 01:22 PM

Nothing, so you need the frame sitting on jack stands and the axle also if your'e not removing it to do any other mods.

Primetime, I am sorry, I was going by what the tow truck driver was telling me and he actually wasnt able to get up there yesterday. I did speak with him and asked if he forgot what he was supposed to be doing but he said he didn't get back in till it was to late so he was going to get it this afternoon.Sorry for getting your hopes up. Hopefully it will be there today, and we will be hitting the yards soon hopefully.

07-29-2006, 06:09 AM	#1
primetime Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 410	trailing arms does anyone have pics of trailing arms? on or off the truck. how much goes into removing/replacing them. what are the functions of trailing arms? Last edited by primetime; 07-29-2006 at 06:10 AM.

07-29-2006, 06:16 AM	#2
tphsmith still buypickupparts Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: charlotte Posts: 637	Re: trailing arms removing the trailing arms, well soak all the nuts on the U- bolts with PB Blaster first. see if they will even start to move under the plates under the rear end. and also the nuts on the other end. they will come off but just rem. they have been on for like 30 some years. the trailing arms were the other method of mounting the rear end to the truck frame instead of leaf springs, for suspention on the frame to keep the rear end under the frame. __________________ Its Gonna be a Great Day, I woke up this Morning. 72 SWB Fleetside freshly painted. putting a 94 LT1 with 700R4 tranny lowered 4 in the front 6 in the back 81 chevy half ton 350 89 Silverado 4x4 going ta church truck

07-29-2006, 12:59 PM	#3
primetime Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 410	Re: trailing arms thanks much for the trailing arms 101 lession, can you or others also provide photos? __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 swb fleetside 2005 Chevy Silverado crew cab (SS) 1977 Goldwing cafe racer 1977 Chevy nova (first car/ first love)

07-29-2006, 11:44 PM	#4
Solver Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Storm Lake, Ia Posts: 1,449	Re: trailing arms Ok first pic is of trailing arms For removal they are correct in spraying with PB blaster for a few days unless you have torch. If you have a torch don't sweat it 1: First remove little clip on each trailing arm to release parking brake cable from arm 2: next remove the lower bolt holding the coil spring (spring cup) in place 3: next 4 nuts (2 each arm) on the bottom of the u bolt holding the rear end and shock plates 4: then you can remove 2 front bolts one each arm Reverse for install Attached Images __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 LWB-Blue 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-Black 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-Red 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-green 1972 GMC 4x4 LWB-White 1971 Cheyenne 10 LWB-Ochre 1971 Cheyenne 20 Longhorn-Copper 1971 Cheyenne 20 Longhorn-Black 1969 Custom 10 LWB-lt blue 1968 GMC 3/4 ton-green 1968 1/2 ton swb stepside-silver 1967 Chevrolet CST 10 LWB-green 1967 Chevrolet custom 20 LWB-Maroon

07-30-2006, 12:04 AM	#5
ChevyDude Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 3,071	Re: trailing arms I just did all this . You will need a torch to melt the rubber bushing out the the steel housings. The new poly bushing slip in the old steel housings, pretty easy deal, just takes time. Attached Images Last edited by ChevyDude; 07-30-2006 at 12:07 AM.

07-30-2006, 03:06 AM	#6
primetime Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 410	Re: trailing arms solver that was great. i'm 100% confident that i can swap this out. thanks for the pics and step by step. chevy dude, did you install brand new trailing arms and if so where did you buy them and how much? __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 swb fleetside 2005 Chevy Silverado crew cab (SS) 1977 Goldwing cafe racer 1977 Chevy nova (first car/ first love)

07-30-2006, 12:22 PM	#7
70C10Toejam Hellasick Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Death Moans, IA Posts: 876	Re: trailing arms Early Classic Enterprises sells them. And they sell reinforcement kits for them too. __________________ I keep two MAGNUMS in my desk. One's a gun, and I keep it loaded. The other's a bottle and it keeps ME loaded. I'm Tracer Bullet. (Calvin and Hobbes) This life was a test. It was only a test. If this had been an actual life, you would have received instructions on where to go and what to do. RED meat is not bad for you...FUZZY BLUE/GREEN MEAT is bad for you!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUILT FORD TOUGH WITH CHEVY STUFF--sticker at Goodguys

07-31-2006, 02:56 PM	#9
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	Re: trailing arms Instead of a torch, this weekend I did mine with a drill - small bit - just go around the bushing making holes as close as you can - then with a screw driver, just peel out the chips - took me about 20 minutes to do both - in the shop - no smoke or fire. The bushings didn't just slide in (even with everything nice and clean/greased) I put a small piece of steel on each side of the arm and used a pair of C-clamps to push them in. After the new ones were in, on the opposite end (there is only one way to push them in by the way) the outter ring needs to be put on - simple also BUT I had to make sure the beveled edge was facing out so that it would slide down into the frame bracket. I'm not sure that last part is correct installation but there was NO WAY mine would go in otherwise. __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew!

07-31-2006, 03:11 PM	#10
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,468	Re: trailing arms You can buy them aftermarket, but they are not cheap Used - Board Members - $200 and up a pair New - Board Vendors - $400 and up a pair Tubular Aftermarkets - $600 and up a pair __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T Last edited by LUV2XCLR8; 07-31-2006 at 03:12 PM.

07-31-2006, 07:04 PM	#11
roughedup72 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: south carolina Posts: 658	Re: trailing arms Hey Primetime, Glad to see everything went good on the closing of the new home. Your truck is being picked up and delivered as I type this. The trailering arms are shot. The back u-bolts will be a breeze because I just reinstalled them last week. The front ones will be tough,If you'd like we can get together and go junk yarding on one of my days off. I know of a couple of places that have a few of these trucks that still have the arms on them. We might be able to get them a little cheaper just call and I will be glad to help. Thanks again for taking it off my hands. __________________ 1972 chevy cheyenne 10,nothing special at the moment,Its a work in progress, Working on the engine, paint and body,engine, paint and body,now its the suspenion, ahh hell I'm about tired of working on it. Maybe it will be a rat rod.

08-01-2006, 11:06 AM	#12
primetime Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 410	Re: trailing arms its funny because my wife was trying to suprise me . i just got off work and called her to ask how was her day and ect.. as she was telling me same ol' same ol' ,i was reading your reply out loud. haha. but yea, when i make it back from germany show me all the junkyards you can. i was wondering if trailing arms from the swb will work on the lwb? __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 swb fleetside 2005 Chevy Silverado crew cab (SS) 1977 Goldwing cafe racer 1977 Chevy nova (first car/ first love)

08-01-2006, 11:12 AM	#13
68haywagon I'm watching you! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 1,822	Re: trailing arms Yes they are interchangable. Mike __________________ 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 4WD 1993 Chevrolet C-1500 W/T - Blue - 4.3L V-6, 4 speed auto - Dad's (RIP) 1992 Chevrolet S10 - LS swap project 1968 Chevrolet C-10 longbed fleetside - sold

08-01-2006, 12:20 PM	#14
Richard Dobson Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Easley, South Carolina Posts: 491	Re: trailing arms What supports the axle, wheels etc. when you remove the TA's? The panhard bar? __________________ Richard Dobson

08-01-2006, 01:22 PM	#15
roughedup72 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: south carolina Posts: 658	Re: trailing arms Nothing, so you need the frame sitting on jack stands and the axle also if your'e not removing it to do any other mods. Primetime, I am sorry, I was going by what the tow truck driver was telling me and he actually wasnt able to get up there yesterday. I did speak with him and asked if he forgot what he was supposed to be doing but he said he didn't get back in till it was to late so he was going to get it this afternoon.Sorry for getting your hopes up. Hopefully it will be there today, and we will be hitting the yards soon hopefully. __________________ 1972 chevy cheyenne 10,nothing special at the moment,Its a work in progress, Working on the engine, paint and body,engine, paint and body,now its the suspenion, ahh hell I'm about tired of working on it. Maybe it will be a rat rod.



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