Rear Suspension Rebuild (Or Not)

[Mike M.]

I bought a really nice '65 coupe a couple of months ago. I know the history of this two owner (now 3) car which has 81K miles, 327/300, PG. It is a great driver. My question is whether or not I should think about rebuilding the rear suspension (ujoints, trailing arm bearings, bushings, etc) on this 45+ year old car. It drives good, no vibrations, no racket. I am sure that most all rear suspension/driveline parts are original (the disc brake pads have prob been changed). I plan to drive the car a good deal-on some longer distance drives. I have some other classic cars and I often will replace the ujoints, suspension bushings, etc whether there is a problem or not. Advise your thoughts about doing any replacement part work on this car. I am not familiar with a C2 Corvette. Thanks.

[Michael W.]

Re: Rear Suspension Rebuild (Or Not)

If you're not sure when the rear wheel bearings were last serviced, they're probably long overdue. Waiting until it vibrates or makes noise is too late.

Do the u-joints while you're at it.

[Mike M.]

Re: Rear Suspension Rebuild (Or Not)

If you're not sure when the rear wheel bearings were last serviced, they're probably long overdue. Waiting until it vibrates or makes noise is too late.

Do the u-joints while you're at it.

That is the type of info I am looking for. I see that a vendor in the DriveLine publication sells the entire rebuilt trailing arm assembly for $375+/- (with core swap). Is this a good way to u[date the rear suspension?

[William P.]

Re: Rear Suspension Rebuild (Or Not)

Hi Mike. If your car is going to be a driver you may want to concider a fiberglass rear spring and a good pair of shocks while you are at it.
I have put them in my 66 L36 and my 71 Lt1 with no regrets .
Bill

[Joe R.]

Re: Rear Suspension Rebuild (Or Not)

That is the type of info I am looking for. I see that a vendor in the DriveLine publication sells the entire rebuilt trailing arm assembly for $375+/- (with core swap). Is this a good way to u[date the rear suspension?

Mike,

I often hear Bair's and Gary Ramadei recommended for trailing arms. I plan to use Gary. He posts on this board fairly often. And yes, that's the way I will do it.

Joe

[Mike M.]

Re: Rear Suspension Rebuild (Or Not)

Mike,

I often hear Bair's and Gary Ramadei recommended for trailing arms. I plan to use Gary. He posts on this board fairly often. And yes, that's the way I will do it.

Joe

Do any of you folks have a web site for Bair's or Gary Ramadei? Thanks.

[Joe R.]

Re: Rear Suspension Rebuild (Or Not)

Do any of you folks have a web site for Bair's or Gary Ramadei? Thanks.

Mike,

Here's Gary's profile page:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/member.php?u=782&uid=5616

Joe

[Terry W.]

Re: Rear Suspension Rebuild (Or Not)

That is the type of info I am looking for. I see that a vendor in the DriveLine publication sells the entire rebuilt trailing arm assembly for $375+/- (with core swap). Is this a good way to u[date the rear suspension?

Mike, the core swap makes sence if you dont have access to a press and a dial indicator, shimming those press fit bearings is time consuming. And hopefully the reconditioned arms are treated for rust and come with a nice coat of paint, If you drive your car often it is always a good idea to jack the car up every now and then and check for bearing play just like you would with a box trailer, make sure you note the number and size of the shims at the front pivot points,( buy new bolts ) get recommendations from others in your area for some one who knows how to do a wheel alignment. have fun crusin.

[Bill H.]

Re: Rear Suspension Rebuild (Or Not)

That is the type of info I am looking for. I see that a vendor in the DriveLine publication sells the entire rebuilt trailing arm assembly for $375+/- (with core swap). Is this a good way to u[date the rear suspension?

The prices for the exchange are very reasonable. I'm in the middle of doing mine, ready for paint and reassembly. It's a lot of work.

Just the rebuild kit (from Bair's) is $180 and the min. tooling (spindle knocker, bushing compressor and swedge tool is $100+.

A couple things to ask the vendor:

What wheel bearings are used ?, there's cheap ones and US (Timken,etc).

Parking brake shoes, hardware - steel or stainless steel?

Makes a difference.

BTW, Google: Yogi Bair's Corvette Parts to get to the web site.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Rear Suspension Rebuild (Or Not)

Mike,

With respect to all suggestions you have received, in my opinion FWIW if you have a nice original car DO NOT exchange all your correct dated parts for exchange pieces. Have you own parts overhauled and reuse everything you can.

Your bearing supports are dated, if the rear spring is not rusted bad it can be painted and new liners etc. Go very slow taking things apart and don't get crazy over it if all is well now. Soak bolts down now with kroil and keep them wet for any future work.

May be a good idea to let a fellow NCRS member look at it before you take anything apart to get a objective opinion before you start. Don't be so fast giving your original parts up for exchange pieces.

[Mike M.]

Re: Rear Suspension Rebuild (Or Not)

Mike,

With respect to all suggestions you have received, in my opinion FWIW if you have a nice original car DO NOT exchange all your correct dated parts for exchange pieces. Have you own parts overhauled and reuse everything you can.

Your bearing supports are dated, if the rear spring is not rusted bad it can be painted and new liners etc. Go very slow taking things apart and don't get crazy over it if all is well now. Soak bolts down now with kroil and keep them wet for any future work.

May be a good idea to let a fellow NCRS member look at it before you take anything apart to get a objective opinion before you start. Don't be so fast giving your original parts up for exchange pieces.

Tim: Your points are well taken and I will do as you state. There is no great rush. I am having a discussion with Gary Ramdei right now. I take it that he rebuilds the existing units.
Thanks.
Mike

[Timothy B.]

Re: Rear Suspension Rebuild (Or Not)

Mike,

I don't think Gary will do you wrong, he is very open helping others with information. Good person to do business with...

[Jim T.]

Re: Rear Suspension Rebuild (Or Not)

Congratulations on your recent purchase of your 1965. You can view Yogi's web site at www.bairs.com and go to services to view his web page on what is done to rebuild your original control arms. Lots of new parts used in the rebuild.
Bair's will also send you wood shipping container for sending your control arms. This should be the one and only time you should need this service to your rear wheel bearings.
If someone has removed the rivets that retain the disc to the spindle, Bair's service of making them like your car left the factory will make your driving and having good brakes without any air pumped into the rear calipers.

[Michael W.]

Re: Rear Suspension Rebuild (Or Not)

Tim: I am having a discussion with Gary Ramdei right now. I take it that he rebuilds the existing units.
Thanks.
Mike

Gary does top quality work, great choice.

C
If someone has removed the rivets that retain the disc to the spindle, Bair's service of making them like your car left the factory will make your driving and having good brakes without any air pumped into the rear calipers.

Whether the rivets still exist or not is unrelated to rotor runout- the rivets were installed simply for convenience of manufacturing and serve no real purpose beyond that.

Any reputable rebuild service (Bair's and Gary R. included) will verify rotor runout at the completion of the trailing arm assembly process and correct it if needed.