Trailing Arm Rebuild on a C3 Corvette

[@elpasorabo]

Excellent video boss. Best one I found to help me do the whole rear install. Thanks so much.

[@camarossable]

Great job 👍

[@thedrivewayC3]

Amazing Video! Great to see you two teaming up on this rebuild project. So much great info here. 👍🏼

[@timewiththedurbins]

Thanks. We had a good time making the video. Luis did an awesome job with the camera. The video would not have been as good without his help and input.

[@geraldvandewal5788]

Very nice. I need mine done.

[@timewiththedurbins]

It definitely makes a difference in the handling of the car.

[@NarrowPathFarm707]

I love the old school methods and wisdom here. Good video.

[@timewiththedurbins]

Thanks for watching.

[@cooperbeazley9358]

Another excellent video. You two guys have the best instructional videos on C3 Vettes on KZbin . My buddies and I have done this on two Vettes. The first one was much harder because there was no good info like your video out there. The second one was much easier since we knew what to expect. I will say this, probably the hardest part was disassembly. 50 year old rusted parts are truly stuck. The other thing is one of the guys in my group is a machinist of your skill level. That really helps with making tools and making sure the tolerances are correct. If nothing else this video may convince some people that it would be worth it to just buy a new trailing arm and bearing assembly rather than attempt a rebuild. The trick with the fishing line was awesome, wish I had known that. The other thing is the camera work here was great and it really showed things in a detailed manner . Thanks to both of you, I have watched all the videos both of you guys have made and it has been a great help in rebuilding my 72 Vette. Just finished putting a 383 stroker with a Tremec TKX in it , wish you had made a video on that before I did it, again lot of videos but not the detail you always have. Thanks

[@timewiththedurbins]

Thanks. Rebuilding trailing arms is definitely a lot of work but you can save some money doing it yourself. I hope this is the last time I have to do it. My car was originally an automatic. I changed it out for a Muncie 4 speed. I wish I would have gone with a Tremec.

[@lennyb2238]

That was a great video from start to finish very well done thank you

[@timewiththedurbins]

Thank you for watching.

[@mikes9939]

This has to be the very best, most detailed and with the best image quality video on KZbin concerning this subject. I have watched some pretty good and some that were not so good but this one is the best. This is important because this job is a lot of work that has to be done correctly with no mistakes. The camera close up work is great and the explanations of what you are doing is great also. Thanks for this video. I have subscribed just because of this video and plan on enjoying more.

[@timewiththedurbins]

Thanks for the kind words. I had Luis from KZbin channel, (C3 Corvette) help with the video work. If you get a chance check out his channel. He has a lot of great how to videos for C3 Corvettes.

[@richc79]

Great video. I suspect mine will not come apart near as easily though. lol

[@merrittkwarner8475]

Nice to have a clean car to work on

[@timewiththedurbins]

Yes, nothing I hate worse than working on a dirty car. I try to keep all my cars clean.

[@dustyb3197]

Awesome. Thank you. I wish i could find a video this good about rebuilding the steering box.

[@timewiththedurbins]

My steering box is in good shape. I plan on replacing it with a Borgenson box when this one goes bad.

[@elpasorabo]

Excellent video. The best I have seen on trailing arm rebuilding. Thanks for sharing.

[@timewiththedurbins]

Thanks for watching.

[@paul4usc]

Interesting video! Thanks!

[@timewiththedurbins]

Thanks for watching.

[@Adel_Volks]

Best video ever! Exactly what I was looking to find. Now I feel I can give it a try 🙌

[@timewiththedurbins]

Glad to help. It is a lot of work but can be done.

[@specialks1953]

Excellent work! Thank you for your work ethic! To each their own on the bushings but I prefer Rubber over Poly.

[@timewiththedurbins]

I thought Poly was the way to go but after doing more research and hearing what other Corvette people are saying about Poly, I wish I had used rubber. I will definitely replace them with rubber when they go bad. Thanks for watching and the kind words.

[@markmontgomery9954]

Really enjoyed the video. That was pretty clever what you did using the fishing line to get the screw in place. That's a sharp car you have. Great job. 😊

[@timewiththedurbins]

Thanks. I hope it's the last time I ever have to do that job again.

[@mikejerman1912]

Thank You, Good Video.

[@timewiththedurbins]

Thanks for watching.

[@richardhackman7274]

It is alot of work ! I did mine

[@timewiththedurbins]

Definitely a lot of work.

[@russelljdj]

other than the transmission rebuild this has to be the biggest and maybe the most expensive job on a C3. I mean new Trailing Arms are about 1,000 each, plus labor. Your lucky to have the skill & may I say Courage to do it yourself. Would you consider replacing the metal leaf with a fiberglass one? Back in 83 I did on my 1980. Wish I still had that car.

[@timewiththedurbins]

I think rebuilding the transmission was easier than rebuilding the trailing arms. I have thought about replacing the leaf spring with a fiberglass one someday. The next big project for the car is going to be repainting it. Thanks for watching.

[@operationsword9457]

It's a tedious job. Replaced all my rubber bushings with poly bushings front and back ; including trailing arms camber rods shocks , motor mounts and tranny mount. You get a bit of a stiffer ride and can feel the engine more but less likely to fail with time or oil splatter. Rebuilt my trailing arm bearings years ago. Just keep them serviced. There is a special tool to shove grease into them. You just have to take off the axle. I usually service them every 30k.

[@timewiththedurbins]

It is definitely not an easy job. I replaced my motor and tranny mounts when I installed the new motor and transmission. I replaced my shocks about a year ago. Where can I get the tool you are talking about? Thanks for watching.

[@CaptainCurt07]

*Nice video, the rain really is annoying* or back noise?

[@timewiththedurbins]

My building is metal and not insulated. Even when it is sprinkling it sounds like it is pouring. I try to not video when it is raining but sometimes, I have no choice. I will try to plan better so I can work around the rain.

[@mikes9939]

I forgot to mention this but this car has the big block caps on the spindles, This must have been done by someone because you mentioned that some work appears to have been done in the past. I thought it must be a big block car until the end when you were test driving it.

[@timewiththedurbins]

I am assuming it has always been a small block car due to the fact the hood is for a small block and the info plate on the center console is for a small block, but nothing would surprise me about this car. LOL

[@vitamulten1395]

40:22 wont that assembly be warmer while car is moving to give you the extra thousandth?

[@Rodeo32145]

Another great video! As far as universal joints, on my 76 I tried both zerk and non zerk. Replacing them around 5000 miles. Just couldn’t get the grease to all four cups during a service with the zerk type. I’d make sure on installation they were packed yet develop get a squeak from one of the four universals leaving a stop light. That’s a clean Corvette you have, enjoy it!

[@timewiththedurbins]

I think the problem with zerk type ujoints is sometimes it's hard to get a grease gun on the zerk. If they are not greased, they don't last any longer than the non greaseable ujoints. I always pack the ujoint before I install them. My car is close to being finished. Thanks

[@badal38257]

Great video. My mechanic cant get to this for a month or so, so i'm thinking of tackling it. All I need to do is the trailing arm bearing, so mine will be quite a bit simpler. The only thing Im unsure about is having to bleed the brakes on reassembly. Any pointers?

[@timewiththedurbins]

I gravity bled my brakes. It is really easy especially if you are working by yourself.

[@mikemartorana3522]

Did I Miss something I do not recall them showing us how the attached the 1/2 shaft to the hub of the trailing arm. they did show us them bolting the 1/2 shaft to the stub axle.

[@timewiththedurbins]

I'm not sure I understand what you are asking. The half shaft does not bolt to the hub of the trailing arm. It only bolts to the stub axle and the differential yoke.

[@bobjackson4171]

This video could have been sooooo much better with a verbal explanation of each step, naming the parts, “here’s what I’m doing and why I’m doing it”, etc. He did it a few times, but not enough. Camera guy did a pretty good job for us though. A few things were flying/dropping out of the other sides, off camera, that would be useful to know though. Despite that, as others have said, this is a great/helpful video. Thanks for making it and putting it up for us to see.

[@timewiththedurbins]

I learn something new with every video I make about content and editing. The hardest part of making videos is getting the camera where it needs to be all the time. Sometimes when I am doing a repair, I forget to reset the camera or to explain some of the steps. My goal is to start using multiple cameras and an outline of the process. Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I really appreciate them. The only way I can make my channel better is with people telling me where I need to improve and what they want to see.

[@bobjackson4171]

@@timewiththedurbins Thanks for taking it that way. I’m sure that with those thoughts you’ll end up making some excellent vids. You obviously know what your doing. Wish I had those skills!

[@timewiththedurbins]

@@bobjackson4171 Thanks for the kind words.

[@tatertots-n-soup]

Not true at all

[@dustyb3197]

Did you have to press in the bearing races? Pretty sure i can pull off this project, but unsure if i need to buy a press.

[@timewiththedurbins]

I used a hammer and a bearing driver. It is basically a small plate that fits the bearing race and has a shaft that you hit with the hammer to drive the race in. A regular punch will work too. You just have to be careful that you don't damage the race since bout the punch and race are heat treated.

[@mikemartorana3522]

ok Did you buy a new wheel bearing spindle support and how did you install the races because you did not show us how you installed the bearing races ????????

[@timewiththedurbins]

I will make a video showing how I installed the bearings. I reused the wheel bearing supports from the car. I thought I showed cleaning up the bearing surfaces on the supports in the video.

[@vintage_corvette]

Really great video! I done this job 1 month before and can say all the basics are in there video. What do you done withe the inner bearing? they had some indication of spinning, was the pressfit tight?. I had the same issue with one spindle. The big problem, aftermarket spindle are chunk!

[@timewiththedurbins]

I was able to replace the worn spindle with one from a 1980 parts car I have.

[@briankeery1]

Good video, but I didn't see how you staked the trailing arm bearing?

[@timewiththedurbins]

I made a tool to do that. I thought I shot video of the process, but I could not find it at the time this video was edited. I will try to make a video showing the process in the near future.

[@bertusgsxr]

Hi. Great video. Would it be possible to have a sketch for the REAR WHEEL BEARING SET UP TOOL to make me one if possible? Much appreciated.

[@timewiththedurbins]

Email me at: [e-mail] and I'll email back a sketch of the tool.

[@tatertots-n-soup]

Its 100% silicon grease. Which is also exactly what dielectric grease is

[@Mark-um7ey]

The worst part of owning a Vette with this design. Weak link and a constant maintenance item from wheel to wheel. Good video, you look like you have been there before lol

[@timewiththedurbins]

Thanks. Unfortunately, these cars require a bit of maintenance to keep them on the road. Still fun to own and drive.

[@thomassuechee]

Not to mention the nightmare for emergency brake design.

[@butchnelson-qr7xq]

Good video But it came apart so easy from like it was a new car..Get one that's aged not so easy with rust especially that draw arm bolt in the body with the shims

[@timewiththedurbins]

I think this car had been apart before I purchased it. I normally don't like working a Vette after it's been taken apart by someone else, but so far this car has not been too bad. I probably just jinxed myself. LOL