Trailing Arm Differences, 65-7

[Dan A.]

I've heard there is a difference between the reproduction trailing arms and originals. What is the difference?

[Joe L.]

Re: Trailing Arm Differences, 65-7

Dan-----

There were actually several different trailing arm sets used over the 65-82 period. Each was slightly different than the others but all are, basically, interchangeable. The last "iteration" was GM #14035663 and 14035664. These parts are still available from GM and are, I believe, what are currently sold as "reproductions".

The 14035663 and 14035664 incorporate changes made for the 1978-82 model years and changes made for the 1982 model year. I don't know what the changes were that were made for the 1978 model year, but they may have been related to the configuration/attachment point of the parking brake cable guide and/or the configuration of the control arm bumper brackets. The change made for 1982 included the addition of 4 drilled and tapped holes surrounding the large bearing support opening in the rear of the trailing arm. These holes are for attachment of the plastic u-joint shields used for the 1982-only model year.

So, I expect that the above differences are what will be found in the "reproduction" trailing arms. As far as I know, the reproductions are either the GM pieces or, at the least, reproductions of the last iteration of the GM part.

[Gary B.]

Plus the rear sway bar holes

Dan,

Almost all of the new GM and repro T-arms that I've seen for sale these days already have the two holes drilled for mounting a rear sway bar. One can weld these up and grind the weld to make it look like they were never there.

Gary