Tweet
I'm in the process of installing the trailing arms on my 65. When I torque the bolts that go between the frame that hold the trailing arm to the frame, they seem too long. The top of the nut ends up past the hole in the bolt to put the cotter pin through. So the cotter pin does not go in the slots in the top of the bolt. the bolt has a total length of 4.75 inches. I've put the washers called for in the aim on both ends of the bolt. Are there two bolt lengths? Do I just shade tree it and add some more washers? that doesn't seem correct.
-
-
Re: Trailing arm bolt too long?
Jerry-----
When you use the term "total length" are you referring to the length from the top of the head of the bolt to the lower tip? Or, do you mean just the length of the 7/16" diameter section of the bolt, exclusive of the thickness of the hex head? The latter is how bolt lengths are typically measured.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Where did you get the bolts from?
I had gotten some bolts from Corvette Central which were too long, and Floyd had gotten the same ones. I called them up and explained what had happened and they sent out some new ones right away. The ones that are too long are used for the front differential mounting. They have the same configuration but are about a quarter inch too long.
BKComment
-
Re: Joe It's 4 1/2 inch for 7/16 portion *NM*
Comment
-
Re:This could be it
Very Good ! I don't remember where I purchased them. Probably paragon. This is a restoration 10 years in the making so some things are a little fuzzy. Do you know what length either is supposed to be? The trailing bolt part number is 3846867.Comment
-
Re: Joe It's 4 1/2 inch for 7/16 portion
Jerry-----
The original trailing arm bolt used on your car, GM #3846867, was of 4-9/16" length. The current GM SERVICE bolt, which is likely what you have, is of 4-1/2" length and of GM #458984. So, the current bolt is actually 1/16" SHORTER than the original. I see two possibilities here:
1) Your frame "box section" into which the trailing arm fits has been distorted by someone previously failing to install a TIGHT shim pack, then torquing down the nut. If this occurs it effectively reduces the width of the "box section", necessitating an even shorter bolt than was originaly used.
2) You are using an incorrect castle nut. GM #3774712 is the one to use.
The differential carrier front bracket mounting bolt should be 4-13/16" long, but it doesn't sound like that's what you haveIn Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
-
Re: Trailing arm bolt too long?
I agree with Joe Lucia the frame section has been squeezed to tight and there fore the bolt appears to be to long. Just add some washers to make up the difference so the cotter pin slides between the slots in the castle nut. Or you could pound some more shims in to try to widen the pocket some. Good luckComment
-
Re: Shim Pounding works! Thanks *NM*
Comment
Comment