Chassis, Suspension, and Brakes
Rear Trailing Arms
Moving onto the rear upper and lower trailing arms, these are very similar in regards to bushing replacement procedures as the fronts. Again, check for damage to the arm and bushing area. If the damage is too severe they should to be replaced. There are several different varieties of these arms based on which RPO code suspension the car came with as well as design dates so look to make sure you are replacing it with a similar arm.
Check all the bushings but as any full restoration it is advisable to replace them all at this time. The rear bushings may also have been spot welded so again check for this and grind the welds before attempting to remove the bushing. Care must also be taken while reinstalling the bushings in the rear trailing arms as you can easily collapse the two halves if they are not supported with the proper spacer or tool while pressing the new bushings.
If you do not have the proper tools or press it would be well advised to bring the four trailing arms to an auto repair shop and have them pressed in for you. I find it better to press the bushings into all the control arms before the painting procedure so you do not damage the paint during the press in process.
Pressing the bushings into the rear differential is much the same as with the others you have encountered so far and should only be done after the rear differential has been rebuilt unless you are only doing a cosmetic restoration in which case you can press them in anytime. It is easiest to use a tool designed to press the bushings in but other methods may be used as well. Care must be taken with the ears of the differential so as to not break them off if using one of the more primitive means to install the bushings. Take note that due to the flange diameter of the bushing it can only be pressed in one direction due to the interference with the center carrier housing. This now completes the bushing installation of the suspension on your Chevelle.
The differential bushings can only be installed from one
direction, the same as all other bushings. It is best to use a
busing-installation tool, but other means can also be employed that
will get the job done. Wait until the differential is completely
rebuilt before installing these. Be careful if
using a hammer/sledge to drive the bushing home. If you crack
or break off the ear on the rear end, it may be time to look for
another.
| Chapter 4 - Chassis, Suspension, and Brakes © Chevelle Restoration |
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