My trailing arm snapped! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GreenMystChevy · 12-07-2002, 12:43 PM

Ok, I think that is what it is called. It is the piece that connects from the frame to the rear end, holding up the springs in the rear.
As I am pulling into a buddy's driveway, there it goes, the bed decides it wants to sit on my tire on the passenger side. So I get under there to look, sure enough, right before it is reinforced at the axle, it snapped clean off. It is probably hanging about 3 inches from the ground.
I wasn't even doing anything stupid. The truck has over 200k on it but I wouldn't think that should still happen.
Now, do I have to replace this thing or can it be welded up to be strong enough? I don't have the welding skills but I could ask around. Just thought I'd let you guys know what happened to me.

Guess it's a cheaper way to lower the truck.

*Gee_Emm* · 12-07-2002, 01:21 PM

I had a hard time finding a decent replacement used one. The cracking is fairly common. LMC sells new replacement but unless you are rich that isnt a good option. Boxing them might help strengthen them up.

**COBALT** · 12-07-2002, 02:07 PM

Well, it depends on how it broke. I doubt it was a brittle fracture (clean brake), but did it split long-ways? How did it brake in other words? If you have a pic of it that would help.

I just finished rebuilding my 3/4 ton coil rear suspension last month. My trailing arms were both cracked at the absolute rear of each one. I had a weld shop patch them up before I painted and put them back in. If they're twisted or deformed in any way I would not try to salvage them. They're structurally weak, and you'll end up busting them again. Remember they're "I" beams, which means their maximum strength is how they're oriented in the truck. If they twist at all they loose a good 1/2 of their strength.

If they've just split you can probably fix that, and weld plates along the top and bottom to reinforce them, but that would be the only case where I'd keep them. That's just an Engineer talking.

If I were you, though I'd see if I could get a set used ones (You'll probably have to get two) and have them patched up at the weld shop and put them in. I wouldn't mess with the old one.

Getting them new would cost too much, but you can get them from Early Classic Enterprises...I know that doesn't help, but oh well.

stllookn · 12-07-2002, 03:40 PM

GreenMyst, I have good ones in Kent if you are interested. Send me a PM.

junkyardjohn · 12-07-2002, 04:00 PM

greenie -- I'VE GOT A SET OF SOLID ONES THAT YOU CAN HAVE FOR FREE, IF YOU PAY THE FREIGHT FROM DOWN HERE IN CARSON CITY NEVADA. JOHN

GreenMystChevy · 12-07-2002, 04:26 PM

Stllookn, you have a pm.

Junkyardjohn: thanks a lot but that would take too long and maybe too much. Thanks a lot though, really.

The arm broke completely in half, up and down. Both sides of it are completely off of it. It happended right where it meets the brackets for the rear end. Looking for another one to put on, shouldn't be all that difficult.
Never heard of such a thing happening. Glad it happended by my buddies house.

jays68yak · 12-07-2002, 05:58 PM

How common is this? Should I go take a look at mine and start welding before they break?

Hooter · 12-07-2002, 09:55 PM

Im not sure if its a common thing but ive seen a few that are cracked. They are over 30 years old and time does take its toll on them

GMC JUNKIE TOO · 12-08-2002, 01:05 AM

One of mine is cracked ive been meaning to fix it that is more encourgment, bummer man

GreenMystChevy · 12-08-2002, 03:56 AM

Stllookn is a great guy, let me steal some trailing arms off of him.

Well, the job only took a couple of hours by myself and just before I went to put her back on the road, I jumped up and down on the bumper to "test" everything.

I hear this noise, what can it be? The driver side trailing arm, not broken, just a lose u-bolt holding that trailing arm on. Probably helped a great deal in the departure of passenger side. These nuts, on the u-bolt, are so ugly that after some liquid wrench, some heat, and an impact wrench, they are still not tightening.

Going to do some push ups, get a good night sleep, eat my wheaties, and head out in the morning to show 'em who's boss.

Well, guys. Good luck on your rides and if ya need any help, I've done it once and can do it again.

hanssolo · 12-08-2002, 01:37 PM

Guys- you're scaring me. I'll beef mine up next Spring.

12-07-2002, 12:43 PM	#1
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	My trailing arm snapped! Ok, I think that is what it is called. It is the piece that connects from the frame to the rear end, holding up the springs in the rear. As I am pulling into a buddy's driveway, there it goes, the bed decides it wants to sit on my tire on the passenger side. So I get under there to look, sure enough, right before it is reinforced at the axle, it snapped clean off. It is probably hanging about 3 inches from the ground. I wasn't even doing anything stupid. The truck has over 200k on it but I wouldn't think that should still happen. Now, do I have to replace this thing or can it be welded up to be strong enough? I don't have the welding skills but I could ask around. Just thought I'd let you guys know what happened to me. Guess it's a cheaper way to lower the truck. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

12-07-2002, 02:07 PM	#3
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Well, it depends on how it broke. I doubt it was a brittle fracture (clean brake), but did it split long-ways? How did it brake in other words? If you have a pic of it that would help. I just finished rebuilding my 3/4 ton coil rear suspension last month. My trailing arms were both cracked at the absolute rear of each one. I had a weld shop patch them up before I painted and put them back in. If they're twisted or deformed in any way I would not try to salvage them. They're structurally weak, and you'll end up busting them again. Remember they're "I" beams, which means their maximum strength is how they're oriented in the truck. If they twist at all they loose a good 1/2 of their strength. If they've just split you can probably fix that, and weld plates along the top and bottom to reinforce them, but that would be the only case where I'd keep them. That's just an Engineer talking. If I were you, though I'd see if I could get a set used ones (You'll probably have to get two) and have them patched up at the weld shop and put them in. I wouldn't mess with the old one. Getting them new would cost too much, but you can get them from Early Classic Enterprises...I know that doesn't help, but oh well. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

12-07-2002, 03:40 PM	#4
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	GreenMyst, I have good ones in Kent if you are interested. Send me a PM. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

12-07-2002, 04:00 PM	#5
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	greenie -- I'VE GOT A SET OF SOLID ONES THAT YOU CAN HAVE FOR FREE, IF YOU PAY THE FREIGHT FROM DOWN HERE IN CARSON CITY NEVADA. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

12-07-2002, 04:26 PM	#6
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	Stllookn, you have a pm. Junkyardjohn: thanks a lot but that would take too long and maybe too much. Thanks a lot though, really. The arm broke completely in half, up and down. Both sides of it are completely off of it. It happended right where it meets the brackets for the rear end. Looking for another one to put on, shouldn't be all that difficult. Never heard of such a thing happening. Glad it happended by my buddies house. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

12-07-2002, 01:21 PM	#2
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002	I had a hard time finding a decent replacement used one. The cracking is fairly common. LMC sells new replacement but unless you are rich that isnt a good option. Boxing them might help strengthen them up.

12-07-2002, 05:58 PM	#7
jays68yak Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Gilroy, CA Posts: 1,454	How common is this? Should I go take a look at mine and start welding before they break? __________________ 1969 Chevy Project SWB Fleet, 20s, 5.3, t56, in the weeds. 1970 Chevy Truck cab on a 1979 Jimmy frame-8.1 liter 496 bbc/sm465/np203-jeds doubler-np205/d60/14bff Welded/42 tsls on recentered H1s 1998 Chevy Crew Cab K3500 SAS'd with hpd60, links and swayaway coilovers. 8.1l vortec DD/towrig "I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. "

12-07-2002, 09:55 PM	#8
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,081	Im not sure if its a common thing but ive seen a few that are cracked. They are over 30 years old and time does take its toll on them __________________ MEMBER DISCS UP FRONT CLUB 69 custom camper/cst 10 70 monte carlo 383 stroker with a 700r4 77 fully loaded silverado (back in the backyard for a little while longer) 1980 BMW 320i (back in the garage finally) 1981 f@*d f150 4x4 (Robert red ford) tried to kill me 1972 Honda ct 90 trailbike Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com AC/DC RULES!!! First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

12-08-2002, 01:05 AM	#9
GMC JUNKIE TOO THE QUICKER FIXERUPER Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ok Posts: 615	One of mine is cracked ive been meaning to fix it that is more encourgment, bummer man

12-08-2002, 03:56 AM	#10
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	Stllookn is a great guy, let me steal some trailing arms off of him. Well, the job only took a couple of hours by myself and just before I went to put her back on the road, I jumped up and down on the bumper to "test" everything. I hear this noise, what can it be? The driver side trailing arm, not broken, just a lose u-bolt holding that trailing arm on. Probably helped a great deal in the departure of passenger side. These nuts, on the u-bolt, are so ugly that after some liquid wrench, some heat, and an impact wrench, they are still not tightening. Going to do some push ups, get a good night sleep, eat my wheaties, and head out in the morning to show 'em who's boss. Well, guys. Good luck on your rides and if ya need any help, I've done it once and can do it again. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

12-08-2002, 01:37 PM	#11
hanssolo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: central Ill. USA Posts: 447	Guys- you're scaring me. I'll beef mine up next Spring. __________________ 69 C10 longbed: 357c.i. /TH400/3.73s/AC/ beige primer/saving $ for paint ______________________________



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