Trailing arm cam bolts for alignment?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**CMars45000** · 10-23-2006, 12:15 AM

Does anyone make any type of cam bolt for the rear trailing arms on these trucks to align it properly or is it just a bolt and go procedure??

thanks

lpaine · 10-23-2006, 12:22 AM

I'm close to changing out the trailing arms on my 3/4 ton myself and believe its just a straight bolt- in proposistion.You'll need to replace the bushings at the front though, and the u-bolts at the back will be a bear to get off in all likeliehood.Let us know how it turns out.

**CMars45000** · 10-23-2006, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpaine

I'm close to changing out the trailing arms on my 3/4 ton myself and believe its just a straight bolt- in proposistion.You'll need to replace the bushings at the front though, and the u-bolts at the back will be a bear to get off in all likeliehood.Let us know how it turns out.

I just installed a trailing ar re-enforcement and new energy suspension urethane bushings. It just seems to me that there should be a way to change the distance between the axle center-line and the trailing arm bolt center-line in order to correct any tracking issues that me be present...

lpaine · 10-23-2006, 12:44 AM

I'm not sure what you mean by tracking issues, are you talking about lowering the rear of the truck? If it's just a stock set up you should be alright. Lowering the rear would require the use of a shorter trac bar, as the rear diff is going to be moved up closer to the frame if you are using drop springs at the rear. The stock trac bar would be too long in that case. Hope this helps.

**CMars45000** · 10-23-2006, 02:00 AM

No I am talking about out and out alignment...Ever seen an old pickup that looked like it was driving down the road crooked?? I am gonna do some research tomorrow at work and call my alignment supplier and see if they have anything..

**LockDoc** · 10-23-2006, 12:24 AM

I don't know of anyone making them but there is new stuff coming out every day so who knows.....

LockDoc

Aarons72s · 10-23-2006, 06:47 AM

There is a small amount of play with the rear axle U bolts. This is where they align. At least every alignment shop around has told me that. And when I reassembled my rear suspension, with new bushings, there was a little bit of play until the bolts were siched down.
Aaron

cdowns · 10-23-2006, 07:53 AM

if the rear end is out of alignment enough to produce tracking issues you need your frame to be straightened

glock35ipsc · 10-23-2006, 09:56 AM

You can make minor thrust angle adjustments by loosening the u-bolts, but unless there are issues with the frame, crossmember, or a trailing arm being bent, there should not be a problem with trailing arm suspension vehicles. If in doubt, take it somewhere and have a 4-wheel alignment check done on it. Working where you do, you should have an idea on who you can trust to do it.

1972gasser · 10-23-2006, 12:10 PM

I just did my 12 bolt rear end last weekend and replaced all the bushings with energy urethane components as well as the springs with new moogs also the upper sway bar with greasable urethane bushings. Replaced the old u-bolts with new anb changed the spring cups with new tighntened it all up and all is good in the neighborhood. I'm not sure about the drop springs and the trailing bars Suspension tech at service king has told me that coil spring drop 4"or less will not affect the location of the trailing arms if one decides to slam it then the forward brackets have to be moved forward. All parts used came from LMC-truck shipped right to my door and fit perfectly!

jhow66 · 10-23-2006, 12:35 PM

Should the measurement say from the center of the tire to the frame be the same on each side? (rear)

71 lowrider · 10-24-2006, 09:36 PM

I have cut out the rivets holding the trailing arm brackets to the crossmember,replaced them with grade 8 bolts and used washers to shift the rear to track it.The way the arms angle in to the crossmember a little bit of movement at the crossmember moves the rear end quite a bit.

roj2323 · 10-24-2006, 11:33 PM

nascar uses the cam bolt setup on there cars. google for nascar used parts and you should be able to find what your looking for. a set of trailing arms "truck arms" run around $200 for a set allready setup for the extra long pan hard bar however you should note that you may have to use different u bolts as most are made for ford 9in rear ends.

ondrew

10-23-2006, 12:15 AM	#1
CMars45000 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 204	Trailing arm cam bolts for alignment?? Does anyone make any type of cam bolt for the rear trailing arms on these trucks to align it properly or is it just a bolt and go procedure?? thanks __________________ Project Family Values Build Thread Vehicles/Projects: -1971 C10 SWB Fleetside! Gathering parts now, will begin frame-off resto soon... Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. -Aristotle

10-23-2006, 12:22 AM	#2
lpaine Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Parksville, B.C. Canada Posts: 637	Re: Trailing arm cam bolts for alignment?? I'm close to changing out the trailing arms on my 3/4 ton myself and believe its just a straight bolt- in proposistion.You'll need to replace the bushings at the front though, and the u-bolts at the back will be a bear to get off in all likeliehood.Let us know how it turns out. __________________ 1969 G.M.C 3/4 Ton 920 (Canadian Version) 307 3 speed, currently apart 1998 Chevy 1/2 ton ex cab V-6 5 speed 1967 Chevy SWB - project truck; not started just yet

10-23-2006, 12:44 AM	#4
lpaine Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Parksville, B.C. Canada Posts: 637	Re: Trailing arm cam bolts for alignment?? I'm not sure what you mean by tracking issues, are you talking about lowering the rear of the truck? If it's just a stock set up you should be alright. Lowering the rear would require the use of a shorter trac bar, as the rear diff is going to be moved up closer to the frame if you are using drop springs at the rear. The stock trac bar would be too long in that case. Hope this helps. __________________ 1969 G.M.C 3/4 Ton 920 (Canadian Version) 307 3 speed, currently apart 1998 Chevy 1/2 ton ex cab V-6 5 speed 1967 Chevy SWB - project truck; not started just yet

10-23-2006, 02:00 AM	#5
CMars45000 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 204	Re: Trailing arm cam bolts for alignment?? No I am talking about out and out alignment...Ever seen an old pickup that looked like it was driving down the road crooked?? I am gonna do some research tomorrow at work and call my alignment supplier and see if they have anything.. __________________ Project Family Values Build Thread Vehicles/Projects: -1971 C10 SWB Fleetside! Gathering parts now, will begin frame-off resto soon... Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. -Aristotle

10-23-2006, 12:24 AM	#6
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,395	Re: Trailing arm cam bolts for alignment?? I don't know of anyone making them but there is new stuff coming out every day so who knows..... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

10-23-2006, 06:47 AM	#7
Aarons72s Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 10,670	Re: Trailing arm cam bolts for alignment?? There is a small amount of play with the rear axle U bolts. This is where they align. At least every alignment shop around has told me that. And when I reassembled my rear suspension, with new bushings, there was a little bit of play until the bolts were siched down. Aaron

10-23-2006, 07:53 AM	#8
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Trailing arm cam bolts for alignment?? if the rear end is out of alignment enough to produce tracking issues you need your frame to be straightened __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

10-23-2006, 09:56 AM	#9
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,685	Re: Trailing arm cam bolts for alignment?? You can make minor thrust angle adjustments by loosening the u-bolts, but unless there are issues with the frame, crossmember, or a trailing arm being bent, there should not be a problem with trailing arm suspension vehicles. If in doubt, take it somewhere and have a 4-wheel alignment check done on it. Working where you do, you should have an idea on who you can trust to do it. __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

10-23-2006, 12:10 PM	#10
1972gasser Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Plano,Tx Posts: 13	Re: Trailing arm cam bolts for alignment?? I just did my 12 bolt rear end last weekend and replaced all the bushings with energy urethane components as well as the springs with new moogs also the upper sway bar with greasable urethane bushings. Replaced the old u-bolts with new anb changed the spring cups with new tighntened it all up and all is good in the neighborhood. I'm not sure about the drop springs and the trailing bars Suspension tech at service king has told me that coil spring drop 4"or less will not affect the location of the trailing arms if one decides to slam it then the forward brackets have to be moved forward. All parts used came from LMC-truck shipped right to my door and fit perfectly!

10-23-2006, 12:35 PM	#11
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Re: Trailing arm cam bolts for alignment?? Should the measurement say from the center of the tire to the frame be the same on each side? (rear) __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

10-24-2006, 09:36 PM	#12
71 lowrider Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: meadville pa. Posts: 37	Re: Trailing arm cam bolts for alignment?? I have cut out the rivets holding the trailing arm brackets to the crossmember,replaced them with grade 8 bolts and used washers to shift the rear to track it.The way the arms angle in to the crossmember a little bit of movement at the crossmember moves the rear end quite a bit.

10-24-2006, 11:33 PM	#13
roj2323 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Somewhere Posts: 985	Re: Trailing arm cam bolts for alignment?? nascar uses the cam bolt setup on there cars. google for nascar used parts and you should be able to find what your looking for. a set of trailing arms "truck arms" run around $200 for a set allready setup for the extra long pan hard bar however you should note that you may have to use different u bolts as most are made for ford 9in rear ends. ondrew



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