Trailing arm bushing

[C3pilot]

Is there a way to verify that the trailing arm bushing are good or bad on a truck that is not running/driving and up on jack stands?

[A1971Blazer]

on my '67.... the trailing arm has moved over against the mount...that kinda tells me it's worn out...
I had planned on changing them anyway....just because it's 50+ years old..
I'm replacing every single wear part on the entire suspension while I'm at it.

[Grumpy old man]

+ 1 ^ , Here is a good thread , Drill them to remove

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=378108

I went back with the urethane replacements .

[C3pilot]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

+ 1 ^ , Here is a good thread , Drill them to remove

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=378108

I went back with the urethane replacements .

That is a good read and one I’ve looked through. However I’m wondering if there’s a way to diagnose that the bushings are worn and need to be replaced? I know I can pull the arms and see if they show a lot of wear but I’m trying to avoid unnecessary work. But again thx for the link.

[SkidmoreGarage]

Chances are that they are worn if the truck is original, rubber has an expiration date. Better to have replacements on hand. If you want to inspect them, you will want to pull the arms from the cross member anyway. It's a 10 min job to swap them with a press. In the grand scheme of getting a truck on the road, this job is very small. You can try jamming a pry bar in the front to see if you get movement, but there is a lot of stresses on the system and only a totally destroyed bushing will be obvious, without having another truck to compare.

You may also want to plan on replacing the trailing arm bolts at the same time, if you need to drive the truck right away. Have them on hand if you are rural, as they may be rusty enough to ruin the threads when they come off. Not essential but it's something to consider.

If you are asking if it's worth your time to inspect, that's up to your priorities, your budget, and your goals for your truck. The bushings can be totally shot and the trailing arms will still function, which may be fine for you.

[C3pilot]

Originally Posted by SkidmoreGarage

Chances are that they are worn if the truck is original, rubber has an expiration date. Better to have replacements on hand. If you want to inspect them, you will want to pull the arms from the cross member anyway. It's a 10 min job to swap them with a press. In the grand scheme of getting a truck on the road, this job is very small. You can try jamming a pry bar in the front to see if you get movement, but there is a lot of stresses on the system and only a totally destroyed bushing will be obvious, without having another truck to compare.

You may also want to plan on replacing the trailing arm bolts at the same time, if you need to drive the truck right away. Have them on hand if you are rural, as they may be rusty enough to ruin the threads when they come off. Not essential but it's something to consider.

If you are asking if it's worth your time to inspect, that's up to your priorities, your budget, and your goals for your truck. The bushings can be totally shot and the trailing arms will still function, which may be fine for you.

Decided to pull the arms and I’m glad I did. The bracket that the driver’s side arm bolts towas loose. The bushings weren’t to bad but I feel better about replacing them.

I removed the 6 rivets holding the bracket. Going to use some self locking grade 8 fasteners with red Loctite. Might even peen over the exposed threads to make sure they never come off.