Replaced rear trailing arms project
Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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Finally finished up this early spring project. After replacing the front control arms last summer I decided to work on the rear. It’s been over 30 years since I had the rear serviced at a local shop.This time I did it myself. I had great results with Van Steel on the front so I used them for the rear.(made in the USA). I purchased all new trailing arm assemblies and sent my used ones back to them as a core.
I purchased adjustable strut rods which made it easy to set the camber.I spent a lot of time setting the shims to get the proper toe settings.
The I installed new KYB shocks. I bought the strut rods and shocks from Eckler’S.
I used the rotors I purchased a few years ago so I did ordered the trailing arms without rotors. They came with the new parking brake assembly.
Now I’m back on the road and loving it.
|UPDATED|4/25/2026 10:35:34 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System
Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
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MOST EXCELLENT...!!! That's a big project and glad you're back on the road!
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Thassa LOT of werk...and cash! Looks nice, tho, and prolly a lot safer on the road. NIce job, Brian!
Joel Adams
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Send PMLoir en Vallee SARTHE, France
Joined: 8/21/2002
Posts: 175
Vette(s): 1978 L48 Auto. Red with Oyster Leather interior. Owned since 1990.
That's a "fun" little project isn't it?!😄
When I did min e I went with new arms, but transferred all the existing bearing/hub/brake stuff, although I did need one new spindle. Doing so I did wish that I had gone with complete arms!😄 But overall the job went better than I had hoped. The hardest part was calculating what shims I needed to achieve the correct toe angle.
And, I was amazed at the difference it made to the car, clearly the old bushes were well past their best!
I'd like to do the front end, but that really does seem like a huge project!😱
Stephen J Irons
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Red Corvettes Have More Fun!
Corvettes of Southern California
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Red Corvettes Have More Fun!
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I can honestly say the front was well worth the effort. I did buy a spring compressor which made the job much easier. The tubular control arms with the Delrin bushings are great. I also bought the front end toe-in tool which worked out great.
|UPDATED|4/26/2026 4:01:11 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
|UPDATED|4/26/2026 4:01:11 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System
Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
1 person likes this post
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Send PMLoir en Vallee SARTHE, France
Joined: 8/21/2002
Posts: 175
Vette(s): 1978 L48 Auto. Red with Oyster Leather interior. Owned since 1990.
Thanks for the inspiration! It might b e something for next year...... I have the ball joints (Moog) and a friend has spring compressors. But I'm getting a bit old for all crawling around on the ground!😄
Out of interest, what is the alignment tool you bought?
Stephen J Irons
Corvette Club France
Corvette Club France
CCCUK Lifetime Member
Corvettes of Southern California
NCM Family Member
Red Corvettes Have More Fun!
Corvettes of Southern California
NCM Family Member
Red Corvettes Have More Fun!
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