re rust hole trailing arms

[Wayne P.]

I took my trailing arms out and noticed a couple rust holes.corvette 007.jpg
Would the best course be to fill ? any other ideas welcome.
not sure how long this has been a problem. I hope photo is attached. Thanks

[Dick W.]

Re: re rust hole trailing arms

The best repair would a purchase of new arms. Salvage your bearing retainers and spindles and throw the rest in the scrap pile. A very vital component of the suspension and a failure would be catastropic.

[Joe L.]

Re: re rust hole trailing arms

The best repair would a purchase of new arms. Salvage your bearing retainers and spindles and throw the rest in the scrap pile. A very vital component of the suspension and a failure would be catastropic.

Dick and Wayne-----


Absolutely! I can virtually guarantee you that there's a lot more rust "where this came from". I would not even consider re-using these arms. Buy new ones. Period.

[Wayne P.]

Re: re rust hole trailing arm frame pocket

Just to clarify The rust hole is in the frame pocket that the trailing arms goes into. I will be ordeing new trailing arms. Looking for advice on best repair of rusted holes . should this be welded ? Thanks

[Steven S.]

Re: re rust hole trailing arms

It would have to patched and welded to be a proper repair, anything else would be just a cosmetic cover up. Hopefully others with experience in repairing that particular area will chime in.

[Steve L.]

Re: re rust hole trailing arms frame pocket

Your pockets are rusted more than mine were. There is more than likely, a lot of rust and holes in other areas of the frame. I would check the rest of the frame carefully.

If you want to salvage the frame, you need to weld in new material in that area. Don't forget that this pocket is a high stress area as well since the entire rear end is held by this pocket. You will need a quality welded repair.

[Paul J.]

Re: re rust hole trailing arms

Wayne:

That type of rust in a component as critical as the frame needs to be cut out and replaced with new metal. We always remove more than the effected area because Joe's right, there's always more than you see.

It's not rocket science and if you have a good wire welder you can do it. Just be sure you get good penetration. If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, any experienced welder can do it.

Also, be careful to cut pieces to follow the factory welds so it doesn't look like a patch, and be careful when you grind down the welds that are'nt supposed to show.

Paul

[Gary R.]

Re: re rust hole trailing arms

Wayne,
There are many steel frame repair parts available. If this is the only place a good welder and or repair part would be ok. Check the full frame. If you find multiple areas you really have to think about a new or good used frame vs a lot of frame work. Either way the body should come off if not already to be sure.

[Wayne P.]

Re: re rust hole trailing arms

The frame has had other repairs. I'm not prepaired to take the body off yet. I will look into a patch for now and save for a frame.
Thanks all.

[William G.]

Re: re rust hole trailing arms

Wayne
I had frame damage on a c2 also. Rust holes were on the side rails.
Wanted to save frame because of serial numbers.
I decided to do a frame off and took the frame to Blairs in Pennsylvania.
They cut the side rails out and replaced them with new ones. They did
an excellent job. Expensive-----yes but worth it.
You have to be careful if you buy one. I have heard of horror storys of
people buying used ones. If you repair it make sure they get all the rust
or weld wont hold or it will be weak.
GOOD LUCK
BILL

[Dick W.]

Re: re rust hole trailing arms

Don't know too much about welding, just been welding since 1956, but I think it is hard to get a good weld when trying to weld rust. I would give you frame a very serious inspection (I used a body pick hammer) before I decided what I was going to do. I suspect that you have some very serious issues with your frame.

[Wayne P.]

Re: re rust hole trailing arms

The frame has been repaired on the drivers side I believe at one time the car was hit on that side. Their was some surface rust on differential carrier assembly. The hole is the size of a dime. I believe I can get in the area with a 90 degree angle gun and grind out area .( or sandblast ) with the small size of this hole would I be able to fill it with weld and grind down. I will buy a new frame in a couple years time. Should their have been a drain hole designed into that area ? I agree new frame just have to get my wife on board. My car is a driver not a number matching car. I would have to take body off to see if frame is worth saving. Thanks

[Wayne P.]

Re: re rust hole trailing arms

Update : I looked further into the rusted area and it is rusted completely around the bottom area were the trailing arm goes into in . Driver side frame has been replaced with angle channel. You guys were right again. I guess I will be looking for a frame. Any advice were to pick up a new one . I have changed over to disk brakes all four. I would think a 65 and up frame would be best. I am heading to Blairs to pick up some parts next week not sure if they have frames.

[John H.]

Re: re rust hole trailing arms

Wayne -

For a GM-licensed new frame, talk to Neal Porter at Vette Products of Michigan (www.vetteproducts.net); he manufactures them from the original GM tooling.

[Wayne P.]

Re: re rust hole trailing arms

Thanks John. Their email isn't working so I will give them a call Monday.