I had a heck of a time trying to install the trailing arm pivot bolts (yesI have some long needlenose pliers) helped some! I ended up putting them in opposite of correct just to get the arms in! Is there any real problem with leaving them this way? I thought maybe that now with everything else installed and the shims jammed in there, maybe I could pull out the bolt and flip it!(hopefully shims will keep arm from twisting?)Down the road when I restore the car, I'll put the correct bolts in with body off the car, but in the meantime, leave them? Thanks!!
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Re: Trailing Arm Bolt Installation...Any Tips?
Rich------
You'll probably have a real hard time installing the cotter pins with the bolts installed "backward". Functionally, I don't think there's any problem with the backward installation, though.
How I do it: set up the arms so that you get the bolt holes in the frame to be aligned with the center of the bushing. You will have to work up a "jig" using wood blocks, etc. to support and retain the arms. Next, insert a piece of wire through the frame holes and bushing. Then, tie a piece of thin monofilament fishing line leader to the inside end of the wire and pull the wire and leader through. Lastly, insert the inside end of the fishing line into the cotter pin hole in the bolt, tie it and CAREFULLY pull the bolt through the frame holes and bushing. This method works very well and it's quite easy.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: Trailing Arm Bolt Installation...Any Tips?
Very clever...I like that, kinda peeved I didn't think of it! I figured the cotter pin would be a challenge, but was reluctant to pull bolt out and start over, rather do it right! Thanks!!!
'73 LS-4 454, owned 22 years!
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Re: Trailing Arm Bolt Installation...Any Tips?
Using a fine wire to fish the bolt thru works better than using the fishing line method. The line can be cut very easily by the rough edges of the cotter pin hole in the bolt. If you set the trailing arm on a jack stand or something similar, so it has some wiggle room without the shims in it should take you about 30 seconds to pull the bolt thru the correct way and have easy access to put the cotter pins in. The shims go in pretty easily after this. Just did mine a couple of months ago this way, and will be doing more in the future using the same method.Kurt Geis
Chairman, Midway USA Chapter
Targa Blue 1972, Top Flight and Duntov Award, 2014
Arctic White 1994, Top Flight, Hrt. of Amer. Reg. 2011
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Re: Trailing Arm Bolt Installation...Any Tips?
Hi Joe
Out of curosity does the cotter pin face the inside rail or out side of the rail. I just redid my 71 trailing arms assuming the other person did it right the first time from repairs.
if you can imagine standing at the back of the drivers side trailing arm and Looking forward, Does the bolt head face the out side (left side of rail) and the cotter pin faces inside (right side of rail)or vise versa.
Thanks, GrantComment
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The light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.Comment
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Re: Trailing Arm Bolt Installation...Any Tips?
Guys,
I think it would not be possible to install the trail arm bolt from the wrong side. The inner fiberglass in the wheel well prevent straight entry into the frame hole. But with the body off it can go in both ways.Comment
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Re: Trailing Arm Bolt Installation...Any Tips?
Nobody's mentioned it yet, but..
The only way you can do it is to disconnect the spring from the TA. Otherwise, you're dealing with the torque created by the spring which twists the TA mount within the frame pocket.
So...disconnect the spring, make a jig as Joe Lucia mentioned, and use some fine wire or nylon fishing line to pull the bolt through.
Chuck1963 Corvette Conv. 327/360 NCRS Top Flight
2006 Corvette Conv. Velocity Yellow NCRS Top Flight
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