solid trailing bushing? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Day 2 C10 · 11-17-2021, 05:12 PM

Out of curiosity has anyone ever done as 2 piece aluminum/ steal bushing on there trailing arms ? I've utilized them in other car builds with great success I am wondering about in this application.

SkidmoreGarage · 11-17-2021, 07:05 PM

People use custom trailing arms with large spherical bearing rod ends to get better motion control over a polymer bushing. The arms twist under articulation, so a solid bushing will bind and cause all sorts of issues.

Besides a harsh ride, I think a solid bushing would likely cause the mounts/cross member to crack.

Day 2 C10 · 11-18-2021, 12:10 PM

Ok great what you saying makes scene as these dont operate on a parallel axis as leaf spring do.

SCOTI · 11-19-2021, 12:45 PM

100% definitely need a joint that rotates vs anything solid @ the front mounting point of T/A's.

Day 2 C10 · 11-19-2021, 12:56 PM

I'll go with tubular then I'm going for handling

SCOTI · 11-19-2021, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Day 2 C10

I'll go with tubular then I'm going for handling

The original beams were built the way they were for a reason.

Solid construction/tubular arms won't flex like the OE I-beam arms but will induce bind much sooner w/o a bushing that allows articulation. Make sure what you go with uses a spherical bushed style end.

Day 2 C10 · 11-19-2021, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

The original beams were built the way they were for a reason.

Solid construction/tubular arms won't flex like the OE I-beam arms but will induce bind much sooner w/o a bushing that allows articulation. Make sure what you go with uses a spherical bushed style end.

I'll utilize a heim joint most likely as I'm used to to using them in race chassis or run the ride tech end as I have a few in stock and they work well too

**HO455** · 11-19-2021, 01:49 PM

Have you checked out the "Make it handle" thread?

Day 2 C10 · 11-19-2021, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HO455

Have you checked out the "Make it handle" thread?

never saw it ill look it up

SCOTI · 11-19-2021, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Day 2 C10

I'll utilize a heim joint most likely as I'm used to to using them in race chassis or run the ride tech end as I have a few in stock and they work well too

Several companies make a spherical joint that utilizes Delrin inserts for everyday driving type of give vs a chromoly style 'race spec' joint. Ridetechs 'R' joint is similar but I don't know the sizes available. I've used Spohn.

**HO455** · 11-19-2021, 04:34 PM

Best get a comfortable chair it's a long read. Well worth the time.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=419251

Big Kev-O · 11-19-2021, 06:13 PM

Hotchkis Swivel Max Bushing Upgrade are designed for the 63-72 trailing arms(HOT21390). They cost about $200 bucks. Most people would probably just spring for complete trailing arms at that price.

SCOTI · 11-19-2021, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Kev-O

Hotchkis Swivel Max Bushing Upgrade are designed for the 63-72 trailing arms(HOT21390). They cost about $200 bucks. Most people would probably just spring for complete trailing arms at that price.

Agreed.... But if someone had other mods linked to their arms, it's a way to minimize necessary changes.

indymachinist · 11-21-2021, 03:23 PM

Food for thought....

Nascar uses I beam style trailing arns with spherical joints at the ends. They don't use square tube or anything like that. They intentionally use lighter duty arms because they WANT them to flex more for better handling.

SCOTI · 11-21-2021, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indymachinist

Food for thought....

Nascar uses I beam style trailing arns with spherical joints at the ends. They don't use square tube or anything like that. They intentionally use lighter duty arms because they WANT them to flex more for better handling.

I'm pretty sure they use the style of T/A's they use because that's what's mandated not because of any other reason.

indymachinist · 11-22-2021, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I'm pretty sure they use the style of T/A's they use because that's what's mandated not because of any other reason.

Yes and no.

indymachinist · 11-22-2021, 10:56 PM

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...k-arms.672544/

Good truck arm info.

As for nascar arms vs factory truck arms... if you have both in front of you, you will find the nascar versions are thinner and have a smaller cross section than the stock truck stuff. As I said before, it is because they want them to flex. So the bigger and stronger you make your tubular truck arms the more you are inadvertently getting away from what works.

I don't pull this stuff out of my butt. I've been in the racing industry for a lot of years now and spoken directly to people in the know on this suspension set up. No one needs to listen to me if they don't want to. It's not going to hurt my feelings.

**MySons68C20** · 11-22-2021, 11:08 PM

Not much to add here but my C20 arms have an extra reinforcement from the factory welded on the top section of the trailing arm. I must say it handles dang good as is!

SkidmoreGarage · 11-22-2021, 11:52 PM

That hamb thread is remarkably hostile and actually very thin on actionable information.

"More flex is more better"? If it can't be quantified, then what is the point of repeating it? I'm sure that ideal spring constant for the arms based on the vehicle weight and geometry information is available (and probably racing class specific), and I would love to see it, but without it, what is the take away? Either use stock arms or pay for someone else's R&D?

If the arms can freely twist through their range of travel, I can't imagine adding another spring/degree of freedom would net a lot of benefit without a lot of testing.

I highly recommend the"make it handle" thread on this forum. Tons of great free info for these trucks.

11-17-2021, 05:12 PM	#1
Day 2 C10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Kansas City Posts: 132	solid trailing bushing? Out of curiosity has anyone ever done as 2 piece aluminum/ steal bushing on there trailing arms ? I've utilized them in other car builds with great success I am wondering about in this application.

11-17-2021, 07:05 PM	#2
SkidmoreGarage Registered User Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 335	Re: solid trailing bushing? People use custom trailing arms with large spherical bearing rod ends to get better motion control over a polymer bushing. The arms twist under articulation, so a solid bushing will bind and cause all sorts of issues. Besides a harsh ride, I think a solid bushing would likely cause the mounts/cross member to crack.

11-18-2021, 12:10 PM	#3
Day 2 C10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Kansas City Posts: 132	Re: solid trailing bushing? Ok great what you saying makes scene as these dont operate on a parallel axis as leaf spring do.

11-19-2021, 12:45 PM	#4
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,914	Re: solid trailing bushing? 100% definitely need a joint that rotates vs anything solid @ the front mounting point of T/A's. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

11-19-2021, 12:56 PM	#5
Day 2 C10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Kansas City Posts: 132	Re: solid trailing bushing? I'll go with tubular then I'm going for handling

11-19-2021, 01:49 PM	#8
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,834	Re: solid trailing bushing? Have you checked out the "Make it handle" thread? __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

11-19-2021, 04:34 PM	#11
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,834	Re: solid trailing bushing? Best get a comfortable chair it's a long read. Well worth the time. https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=419251 __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

11-19-2021, 06:13 PM	#12
Big Kev-O Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Simi, CA Posts: 495	Re: solid trailing bushing? Hotchkis Swivel Max Bushing Upgrade are designed for the 63-72 trailing arms(HOT21390). They cost about $200 bucks. Most people would probably just spring for complete trailing arms at that price. __________________ Made in America by Americans

11-21-2021, 03:23 PM	#14
indymachinist Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Indanapolis, IN Posts: 601	Re: solid trailing bushing? Food for thought.... Nascar uses I beam style trailing arns with spherical joints at the ends. They don't use square tube or anything like that. They intentionally use lighter duty arms because they WANT them to flex more for better handling. __________________ -Curt My 1968 Chevy shortbed stepside build Last edited by indymachinist; 11-21-2021 at 03:36 PM. Reason: fix poor typing

11-22-2021, 10:56 PM	#17
indymachinist Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Indanapolis, IN Posts: 601	Re: solid trailing bushing? https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...k-arms.672544/ Good truck arm info. As for nascar arms vs factory truck arms... if you have both in front of you, you will find the nascar versions are thinner and have a smaller cross section than the stock truck stuff. As I said before, it is because they want them to flex. So the bigger and stronger you make your tubular truck arms the more you are inadvertently getting away from what works. I don't pull this stuff out of my butt. I've been in the racing industry for a lot of years now and spoken directly to people in the know on this suspension set up. No one needs to listen to me if they don't want to. It's not going to hurt my feelings. __________________ -Curt My 1968 Chevy shortbed stepside build

11-22-2021, 11:08 PM	#18
MySons68C20 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wenatchee, Wa Posts: 897	Re: solid trailing bushing? Not much to add here but my C20 arms have an extra reinforcement from the factory welded on the top section of the trailing arm. I must say it handles dang good as is!

11-22-2021, 11:52 PM	#19
SkidmoreGarage Registered User Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 335	Re: solid trailing bushing? That hamb thread is remarkably hostile and actually very thin on actionable information. "More flex is more better"? If it can't be quantified, then what is the point of repeating it? I'm sure that ideal spring constant for the arms based on the vehicle weight and geometry information is available (and probably racing class specific), and I would love to see it, but without it, what is the take away? Either use stock arms or pay for someone else's R&D? If the arms can freely twist through their range of travel, I can't imagine adding another spring/degree of freedom would net a lot of benefit without a lot of testing. I highly recommend the"make it handle" thread on this forum. Tons of great free info for these trucks.



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