trailing arm bushings

[John G.]

I was just in the archives looking for info on trailing arm bushing installation and came across Joe Lucia's post using a 4" bolt, chevy lug nuts, etc., as a tool to use for this job. Just the info I needed!

At present I have the complete rear end assembly out of my '64. The front trailing arm bolts slid out, no problem. The bushings themselves seem to be 'ok', but at 40 years of age it's probably a safe bet to change them out and be done with it.

My question is: When using this tool to flare out the one-side straight sleeve end and compress the bushings together is it important to get the overall finished flare and sleeve length exactly the same as it was before, as it was with the old sleeve and bushing? .. Or, is it sufficient to get the overall flared length somewhere close, or 'in the ballpark', so that the flare looks about right? ..

My concern is putting back in place and reusing the old shim pack on either side of the new finished flared sleeve, as it was before uninstallation, inside the rear kickup mounting pocket. For those who have done this was this an issue? I was wondering what did you guys do?

John

[Stephen L.]

Re: trailing arm bushings

I had new trailing arm bushings installed. I kept track of the shim packs and reassembled with them. I thought I'd be close but when the alignment was done we literally had to start over on the shim packs. Everything worked out ok but the rear alignment was definitely necessary.

[Tom S.]

Re: trailing arm bushings

You will need an alignment.I would suggest a good 4 wheel alingment.Finding someone that know's what they are doing will be the chore.All the alingment shop,s will tell you they can do it, but ask them how they are going to proceed and one of the first thing's they will say is we bend the strut rod,s.NOT ON MINE YOU DON'T. I had one HEELLL of a time finding a good shop. It drives like a new one now.Tom

[Stephen L.]

Re: trailing arm bushings

I went to the local Chevy dealer and talked with them. They quoted a price not realizing the extent of a 4 wheel alignment on an older vette. Newer cars use cams and bolts for alignment. At any rate, part of the deal was my personal attendance during alignment to insure they didn't scratch anything. The guy was very cautious and the job was great. It took us (I helped) about 4 hours. The trailing arm bolts are a bummer to remove/install/reinstall after fitting when the body is on. The cost was "negotiated" after finding out that a 1 hr job took a lot longer, so I split the costs with them.....

[John G.]

Re: trailing arm bushings

Steve and Tom ..
I suspected that was probably going to be the case, that an alignment would be needed after the fact. Just wanted to check what others experienced.

I will definitely make sure no 'bending' into alignment takes place.

Thanks for your replies.

John