trailing arms
04-08-2004, 09:39 PM
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trailing arms
I just finished restoring the complete rear suspension on my 69, and i am about to reinstall the trailing arms. Does anyone know the proper way to shim them? Thanks
04-09-2004, 08:49 AM
#3
Re: trailing arms (96LT4Z28_03Z06)
Do you mean how to align properly? There are some methods of doing your own alignment - do a search and you will find some.
What I did, and this is not a precise method by any means, is I kept record of what old shims went where (left inner, right inner, left outer, right outer), then I got new stainless steel shims, then with the trailing arm and bolt in the frame but not bolted down yet I placed the same proportion as was originally in the same side so as to get the approximate same allignment as was in the trailing arms before I took them out, I put in the fatter shims first and then the skinnier shims in last, you need to lightly tap them in with a hammer, then add the cotter pin of course after you are down and then tighten the bolt.
Now, saying that, you really should disregard everything I just said and follow one of the how-to home allignment guides that have been explained in the forum or take it to be professionaly alligned. As for me, my 6 year old tires suck anyways and I am just waiting until I replace the tires and fix up the front suspension before I spend money on a professional alignment - close was good enough for me.
What I did, and this is not a precise method by any means, is I kept record of what old shims went where (left inner, right inner, left outer, right outer), then I got new stainless steel shims, then with the trailing arm and bolt in the frame but not bolted down yet I placed the same proportion as was originally in the same side so as to get the approximate same allignment as was in the trailing arms before I took them out, I put in the fatter shims first and then the skinnier shims in last, you need to lightly tap them in with a hammer, then add the cotter pin of course after you are down and then tighten the bolt.
Now, saying that, you really should disregard everything I just said and follow one of the how-to home allignment guides that have been explained in the forum or take it to be professionaly alligned. As for me, my 6 year old tires suck anyways and I am just waiting until I replace the tires and fix up the front suspension before I spend money on a professional alignment - close was good enough for me.
04-09-2004, 08:27 PM
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Re: trailing arms (myisa69)
thanks for all the info guys. I still have the old shims and know wher they go but i did not know if the alignment might be out after 35 years. I will probably just put them back in and then take it up to a friends alignment shop.