C3 Trailing Arms-Rear Swaybar Mounting Holes

[Paul L.]

Do all T/As have the mounting holes for the FE7 swaybar? And frame as well? I have a 7/16" swaybar unit in the basement purchased from a salvage yard that I wish to install on my 1979 in the spring (April). Unfortunately I do not have access to my car until that time to take a peek. Thanks!

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Trailing Arms-Rear Swaybar Mounting Holes

Paul-----

I believe that all 1965-82 trailing arms have the holes for the rear strut rod attaching parts. If not, they can be easily added. The real problem is the weld nuts for the bushing retainers which are part of the frame assembly. Not all C3 frames have these weld nuts. If not present, these are difficult to add.

[Paul L.]

Re: C3 Trailing Arms-Rear Swaybar Mounting Holes

Thanks Joe. I will cross my fingers on that one. I thought it was a threaded hole into the frame. Darn I wish we could post pics here. Those rubber bushings and metal caps look to be a flush fit on the frame.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Trailing Arms-Rear Swaybar Mounting Holes

Paul-----

They ARE a flush fit. The weld nuts are on the INSIDE of the frame surface, welded-on just above the holes drilled in the frame. That's what makes them so difficult to add to a frame not so-equipped at the time of manufacture. If they were on the outside of the frame, it would be easy.

You cannot use self-tapping bolts which are screwed right into the frame material. There is not enough thickness and the system requires far greater strength than a self-tapping bolt in frame thickness steel can provide.

[Gary B.]

Joe: C3 Trailing Arms-Rear Swaybar Mounting Holes

Joe,

I assume you didn't mean from 65-82 when speaking of the holes in the trailing arms for the rear sway bar. Certainly 65 and 66 didn't have them if the car came with the standard (non-HD) suspension.

Gary

[Joe L.]

Re: Joe: C3 Trailing Arms-Rear Swaybar Mounting Ho

Gary-----

The rear stabilizer bar used for 65-74 was not related to F-40/F-41 suspension. The sway bar was part of the big block "package". Therefore, the trailing arm configuration was unrelated to installed suspension.

As far as I know, all 65-74 Corvettes used trailing arm GM #3874769, left, and GM #3874770, right. Some 65s may have used an earlier part number which didn't have the holes.

However, and again as far as I know, the above-referenced part numbers did have the holes for the stabilizer bar links, although it is possible that different part numbers were used in PRODUCTION for stabilzer and non-stabilizer equipped cars.

[Gary B.]

Re: C3 Trailing Arms-Rear Swaybar Mounting Ho

Joe,

The 66 TIM&JG says that only big block cars had the holes drilled in the trailing arms for a stabilizer. My small block 66 with original trailing arms certainly does not have the holes drilled, so I think there much have been different production part numbers for stabilizer and non-stabilizer equipped cars in 66 anyway.

GB

[Wayne M.]

Re: Joe: C3 Trailing Arms-Rear Swaybar Mounting Ho

Joe -- I agree with Gary, at least for '65 and '66. Also, the '65 AIM L78 section shows the hole size and locations for the link bracket, which implies the holes were drilled at St.Louis.

My early '65 small block has no holes, but its VIN 014xx was well before big block introduction.

There is one other parculiarity on '65 trailing arms, at least the early ones -- a 3/8" hole drilled on the upper side just inboard of the clip with the white plastic (nylon ?) guide for the park brake cable.

[Paul L.]

Re: C3 Trailing Arms-Rear Swaybar Mounting Holes

Appreciate that information. I can only hope those frame holes are there!

[John H.]

Re: Joe: C3 Trailing Arms-Rear Swaybar Mounting Ho

From '65-'67, the holes for the BB rear stabilizer bar bracket attachment were added to the production trailing arm assembly in an off-line drill fixture at St. Louis; dunno about C3's.