What's up with my trailing arms?

[jayoldschool]

After looking at many pics of projects in this section, I realize that there is something strange going on with my truck's trailing arms. Mine have space between the two halves. Didn't realize this was not correct. Also, I thought that the stuff in the space was just rotted wood debris from the decayed bed, but after getting a closer look with the bed off, I can tell it is metal. I have no idea why that would be in between the two halves of the trailing arms.

Not sure what to do here...

Here are the scenarios that I can think of:
- do nothing
- try and knock that strange metal out of there and squeeze the halves back together, then bolt or weld
- start shopping for a pair of arms

Thanks for any thoughts.

Here's the pics:

[vegadesign]

looks like you need to find a new set man!
or start drilling and bolt them back together

[61_FL_Apache]

Yea, that crap is not supposed to be in there.. It looks like rust build up.

[LT1 Burb]

I have 2 sets if your interested

[jayoldschool]

Thanks, sent you a PM.

I really don't think that the stuff in between the halves is rusting OE metal. The arms look good from the sides. It's like someone jammed it in there... a long time ago. I'll see if I can knock some of it out.

[Greg63]

Mine started doing that too (original Canadian pieces). It was rust that was spreading them apart so I replaced them.
The wood is probably desbris that fell down from the bed floor (or the bed floor itself).
Greg.

[Sharps40]

Time to replace those truck arms. The sides should be in contact but them are bout ready to fail and I doubt boltin em up will be a long term fix.

[Tx Firefighter]

Folks in rusty areas of the country call that rust jacking. When two tightly joined pieces of steel rust, they wedge apart like that.
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[Brown62]

Mine were the same way. I also thought it was some sort of wood. Just rust and dirt. The u-bolts and spring cup bolts are also in there and they were almost rusted into. Bad design.

[MARTYZ]

Jay , have to agree with everyone above here, Replace them! Only problem is to find a good set around this part of the country.

[LT1 Burb]

I have never seen a set of trailing arms look like that, must be all that salt in your diet, luckily its illegal here to salt.

[jayoldschool]

Brought this truck up from Arkansas... found out that it lived in Wisconsin for most of its life

[Clyde65]

I think some bondo would fix it!

[1963c-10]

Time to replace them

[63burban]

Welcome to the things we deal with in the midwest