Posts : 577 Join date : 2019-03-06 Age : 50 Location : Raleigh, NC
Subject: partially bent lower trailing arm Sun Oct 17, 2021 8:27 pm
No idea when this might have happened, just noticed today while under the car. Looks like someone may have lifted the car from that spot instead of the frame... The right side lower trailing arm has a nice bend in one side.
Best option would be to replace the arm, not sure if I can bend it back into shape or if that is advisable to do...
Fred Kiehl
Posts : 7282 Join date : 2009-11-13 Age : 76 Location : Largo, FL 33774
Subject: Re: partially bent lower trailing arm Sun Oct 17, 2021 9:01 pm
If you bend it back to shape, you should box it, and do the other one at the same time.
Subject: Re: partially bent lower trailing arm Sun Oct 17, 2021 10:46 pm
I wouldn't do anything with it - not worth the trouble/hassle or risk of "collateral damage"
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94Woody
Posts : 2438 Join date : 2008-12-02 Age : 49 Location : Ocala,FL
Subject: Re: partially bent lower trailing arm Mon Oct 18, 2021 9:44 am
^^^ Exactly
If the car aligns properly, drives properly and isn't eating tires I would leave it alone. Only one side is bent up so the mounting points should still be correct.
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Fred Kiehl
Posts : 7282 Join date : 2009-11-13 Age : 76 Location : Largo, FL 33774
Subject: Re: partially bent lower trailing arm Mon Oct 18, 2021 10:13 am
The strength of the arm is compromised. At least replace it with an undamaged one. If you get a donor with new bushings, make the other side match.
rcktpwrd
Posts : 577 Join date : 2019-03-06 Age : 50 Location : Raleigh, NC
Subject: Re: partially bent lower trailing arm Mon Oct 18, 2021 10:18 am
I know the front end alignment is off, but otherwise it seems to drive and handle normally. Nothing else in the frame looked out of position and the suspension seems to articulate properly. I had jack stands under the axle and was lifting the frame with a jack to get the rear wheels off and on.
I'll leave it be for now and look for a replacement next time we go to the junk yard.
Are the trailing arms the same length/size in the sedans?
I agree Fred that it is compromised and needs to be repaired.
Fred Kiehl
Posts : 7282 Join date : 2009-11-13 Age : 76 Location : Largo, FL 33774
Subject: Re: partially bent lower trailing arm Mon Oct 18, 2021 10:44 am
The arms are the same for all B and D bodies.
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Sprocket
Posts : 6140 Join date : 2008-11-04 Location : Palm Beach County
Subject: Re: partially bent lower trailing arm Mon Oct 18, 2021 1:32 pm
rcktpwrd wrote:
I know the front end alignment is off, but otherwise it seems to drive and handle normally. Nothing else in the frame looked out of position and the suspension seems to articulate properly. I had jack stands under the axle and was lifting the frame with a jack to get the rear wheels off and on.
I'll leave it be for now and look for a replacement next time we go to the junk yard.
Are the trailing arms the same length/size in the sedans?
I agree Fred that it is compromised and needs to be repaired.
95% SURE I have one in Florida I don't need. I'll check for sure (that it's a lower one) if you are interested. I had one on wagon bent the same way and drove the car for a couple months before I replaced it, so not a show stopper..
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