C2 Trailing Arms - anyone know this vendor ?

[Mark P.]

I am looking to have my trailing arms rebuilt for my 1965.

The vendor is on Jacob's Corvette Service Center in Coraopolis, PA.

This is what they will do:

CORVETTE REBUILT TRAILING ARMS COMPLETE EVERY THING NEEDED TO HANG YOUR ARM ON YOUR CAR. REBUILD INCLUDES NEW TIMKEN BEARINGS, NEW SEALS , NEW STAINLESS STEEL PARKING BRAKE HARDWARE, NEW PARKING BRAKE SHOES, NEW AXLE WHEEL STUDS , NEW TRAILING ARM BUSHING, NEW PIVOT BOLT, NEW NYLON CABLE GUIDE, NEW SPRING BOLT CUSHION CUP IN REAR OF ARM. THE AXLE SPINDLE HAS BEEN REFACED TO HAVE ZERO RUN OUT. THE END PLAY TOLERANCE HAS BEEN SET TO G.M. SPECS. THIS UNIT ALSO COME WITH NEW ROTOR, PLEASE SEE PICTURES FOR DETAIL ASSEMBLY. OUR SHOP HAS REBUILT CORVETTE SUSPENSION AND DRIVELINE PARTS FOR 30 YEARS , LET US DELIVER YOU A CORRECT UNIT. WE ALSO HAVE DIFFERENT VARIATIONS OF OUR ARM ( WITH OUT ROTOR OR WITH RIVET ROTOR, ALSO EVERY PART NEW.(THE CORE CHARGE IS $100.00 PER ARM WHICH I WILL ADD TO YOU FINAL INVIOCE. )


They say they use all US parts.

1. anything missing or look unusual from the above description ?
2. do most judged cars go with rivited rotors ? much of a deduction for non-rivited rotors ?
3. any experience with this vendor ?
4. they charge only $325 per trailing arm. Does this seem a bit low ?
5. anything I should ask them to do differently to maintain originality ?
6. the date on the support can't be seen when installed, right ?
7. they also sell new arms outright for $600 with arms and spindles mfg in Pennslyvania. Any opinions on going that route ? Riviting the rotors is another $150 each.


Thanks,

Mark

[William C.]

Re: C2 Trailing Arms - anyone know this vendor ?

If the stuff is manufactured in PA, it probably comes from Bair's. I'd give them a call, 814-683 4223, Linesville PA. They do a major amount of the Trailing Arm rebuilds for some of the large parts houses.

[Larry M.]

Re: C2 Trailing Arms - anyone know this vendor ?

Mark:

The choice is yours to make, but why not use a company with a KNOWN and PROVEN reputation for quality such as Bair's or VanSteel.

Bair's even has shipping boxes for the trailing arms.

If you are just looking for a general rebuild, there may be a number of good shops closer to home with low prices.

I did a lot of research and got a lot of opinions, and my arms are going to Bair's or VanSteel this upcoming fall.

Larry

[Mark P.]

Re: C2 Trailing Arms - anyone know this vendor ?

Bair's looks like a good choice. I'll probably look at getting mine rebuilt.

The $349 each price is reasonable and lots of recomendations on this site.

[Harry S.]

Re: C2 Trailing Arms - anyone know this vendor ?

Mark, take a close look at your trailing arms. Ensure the metal is the same thickness throughout. If you feel lumps or bumps that may be an indication of rust. Pick at it with an awl and see if it flakes away. This is common with T-arms. Bair's also sells replacement arms that are excellent if yours are no longer usable. I imagine you can also ask Bair's to make an assessment of yours soon after they media blast them.

On mine the rusted areas were twice as thick as the non rusted areas. It would have been unsafe to use my originals.

[Michael G.]

Re: C2 Trailing Arms - anyone know this vendor ?

Before you guys give away your bank accounts to the tradional trailing arm guys , I'd like to throw out the name of Mark Kibbe and his company BAK for trailing arm service and repair..... http://www.bakautomotive.com/. Very knowledgeable, timely, priced competively and friendly. Fellow NCRS guy to boot. Have used this service and would use him again. Not associated with Mr. Kibbe (in any way) but might check out his web site and give him a call. Give it go.....doesn't cost anything to talk.

Michael G.

[Michael G.]

Re: C2 Trailing Arms - anyone know this vendor ?

Mark,
The term "The end play tolerance has been set to GM specs" is scary. No reputable rebuilder uses the broad end play specs that were acceptable by GM.

[Gary S.]

Re: C2 Trailing Arms - anyone know this vendor ?

I have known Harvey Jacobs for 16+ years. Not only did he do the trailing arms on my 66 and one on my 72 but he did my neighbor's 73. In addition, he rebuilds steering boxes, tranmissions, and he rebuilt the differential for my 66. Corvette suspension and drivetrain work is his sole work. I don't remember which company he rebuilds for but he does work for one of the suppliers. Imo, his work is first rate, his rebuilds have never given me or my friend's a bit of worry and I can only give him the highest recommendation. Of course, he all the tools, sets his tolerances right up there with the "big boys" and is not some fly-by-night operation.

I haven't seem him drive a Corvette for years, although he does have a 72 in desperate need of a complete frame off, but, if you ask him for NCRS standards he will do that. That includes asking him to do something or not do something. If you don't ask, he will usually do a non-NCRS cosmetic restoration of the cases and similar items.

[Gary V.]

Re: C2 Trailing Arms - anyone know this vendor ?

I am looking to have my trailing arms rebuilt for my 1965.

The vendor is on Jacob's Corvette Service Center in Coraopolis, PA.

This is what they will do:

CORVETTE REBUILT TRAILING ARMS COMPLETE EVERY THING NEEDED TO HANG YOUR ARM ON YOUR CAR. REBUILD INCLUDES NEW TIMKEN BEARINGS, NEW SEALS , NEW STAINLESS STEEL PARKING BRAKE HARDWARE, NEW PARKING BRAKE SHOES, NEW AXLE WHEEL STUDS , NEW TRAILING ARM BUSHING, NEW PIVOT BOLT, NEW NYLON CABLE GUIDE, NEW SPRING BOLT CUSHION CUP IN REAR OF ARM. THE AXLE SPINDLE HAS BEEN REFACED TO HAVE ZERO RUN OUT. THE END PLAY TOLERANCE HAS BEEN SET TO G.M. SPECS. THIS UNIT ALSO COME WITH NEW ROTOR, PLEASE SEE PICTURES FOR DETAIL ASSEMBLY. OUR SHOP HAS REBUILT CORVETTE SUSPENSION AND DRIVELINE PARTS FOR 30 YEARS , LET US DELIVER YOU A CORRECT UNIT. WE ALSO HAVE DIFFERENT VARIATIONS OF OUR ARM ( WITH OUT ROTOR OR WITH RIVET ROTOR, ALSO EVERY PART NEW.(THE CORE CHARGE IS $100.00 PER ARM WHICH I WILL ADD TO YOU FINAL INVIOCE. )


They say they use all US parts.

1. anything missing or look unusual from the above description ?
2. do most judged cars go with rivited rotors ? much of a deduction for non-rivited rotors ?
3. any experience with this vendor ?
4. they charge only $325 per trailing arm. Does this seem a bit low ?
5. anything I should ask them to do differently to maintain originality ?
6. the date on the support can't be seen when installed, right ?
7. they also sell new arms outright for $600 with arms and spindles mfg in Pennslyvania. Any opinions on going that route ? Riviting the rotors is another $150 each.


Thanks,

Mark

Check out www.vtechcorvette.com

[Alan D.]

Re: C2 Trailing Arms - anyone know this vendor ?

Also take a look at a past post "Replacing or Rebuilding Trailing Arms BB" on Feb 10, 2009. There are some link(s) which show a lot of good details.

[Ed S.]

Re: C2 Trailing Arms - anyone know this vendor ?

Does anyone know if Mark Kibbe owner of BAK Automotive (C2/3) trailing arm specialist is still in business? There is a website for BAK but no e mail address. There is a phone # but it goes to voice mail. If you have an e mail address pleases provide it. thanks!

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 Trailing Arms - anyone know this vendor ?

Bair's is the only choice for building trailing arms as far as 99% of C-2 owners feel! They have all trailing arm parts in stock and have been in the business for 50 years.
Having been a customer of theirs Yogi and Brian are the source for American made C-2 Corvette Parts!
Give them a call at 1 814 683-4223 or order at 1 800 421-9644! Their trailing arms are built in Pennsylvania!
On line at www.bairscorvette.com

JR

[Ed S.]

Re: C2 Trailing Arms - anyone know this vendor ?

Bair's is the only choice for building trailing arms as far as 99% of C-2 owners feel! They have all trailing arm parts in stock and have been in the business for 50 years.
Having been a customer of theirs Yogi and Brian are the source for American made C-2 Corvette Parts!
Give them a call at 1 814 683-4223 or order at 1 800 421-9644! Their trailing arms are built in Pennsylvania!
On line at www.bairscorvette.com

JR

Joe, thanks but.... I am looking for an e mail for BAK Automotive.

[Scott S.]

Re: C2 Trailing Arms - anyone know this vendor ?

Bair's all the way to Duntov and back to Canada!

[Donald H.]

Re: C2 Trailing Arms - anyone know this vendor ?

Ed, the numbers I have for Mark Kibbe are (814) 969-4916 and cell (814) 860-1509.

He did the arms on my 66 and does vey good work and less expensive than most others.

I rebuilt the trailing arms on my 67 myself. It was a little intimidating but they turned out great and nothing has fallen off so far!

Don