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Ok gents (and ladies), here is the situation.
Here I am in beautiful, rust (almost) free Arizona. The trailing arms in my wifes car need to be rebuildt, and I am in the process of removing them. I get all the parts disconnected and have the arms just hanging there, the book says "remove the nuts and pins, and remove the arm". It DID NOT say what to do if the bolts are rusted in, which in this case they are. I have tried a bigger wrench, liquid wrench, heat, and next to metal blades for my sawsall.
Are there any tricks or tips I am not aware of? Any help from the rust belt would be great. This is the only car we have NOT from Arizona, it doesn't have a lot of ruct, but what it does have makes it a real pain in the trailing arm.
Thanks!!
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Send PMGreensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5387
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe, 1989 Coupe, 2001 Roadster Present: 1967 Stingray Roadster, 1976 Stingray Coupe, 1989 Roadster..
If they are that rusty do you really want to put them back?
Cut em off... save some time and aggrevation. Besides the Sawzall is so much fun to run....
Cut em off... save some time and aggrevation. Besides the Sawzall is so much fun to run....
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R
The sawz-all is the most popular way to go ,you don't want to use a torch,there is a brake line hiding back there on the drivers side
C3VR Lifetime Member #93
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Yes I noticed the brake line AND the fuel lines running through there. I have replacement bolts, bushings, etc. I am going to replace everything, but use the old arms if they turn out to be serviceable. Thanks!
MikeMc71 2008-05-05 08:32:10
OH....any sawsall blade recomendations? They are grade 8 bolts, I believe.
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carbide coated blade should do it.
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Send PMHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
I bought the longest blades I could find made by Milwaukee. As they dulled, I snapped off the end section and voila! - New balde to keep on cutting!!
If you want a really beautifully rebuilt Trailing arm, try Jim Stevens at 608-365-0911. Great work, great prices and one helluva great guy!! Been dealing with him for 5 years now and referred him to dozens of folks!! Tell him C3VR sent you. Jim will do the right thing by you!! 
Good luck,
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Send PMIrving, TX - USA
Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4286
Vette(s): #1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks.
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One of mine had to be cut off, the other one was ok. That is the way to go..........good luck!
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I cut the bolt on either side of the trailing arm then used a porta-power to push the stubs out. Used the old trailing arm as a core and replaced the entire unit. My understanding is it takes a lot of speciality to rebuild/replace the bearings.
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1977 Coupe
gone but not forgotten
1996 Grand Sport
1996 Grand Sport
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1964 roadster
1974 coupe
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Thanks all for the advice. There is a gent here locally who is a Corvette Guru, he is the guy all the local shops go to to get ANY Vette work done (he has been doing it for over 40 years), and he happens to be a friend of mine! He has all the proper tooling, etc.
MikeMc71 2008-05-06 08:59:26
Maybe he will teach me some wisdom to pass on, one can only hope.............thanks again!!
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in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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