Pivot point of the trailing arms??

[William H.]

68 C3 does the trailing arm pivot in the bolt that goes through the front bushing? If so, how does it pivot after the torque is applied to the bolt and everything is squash together?

[Terry M.]

Re: Pivot point of the trailing arms??

The trailing arm does not pivot ON the bolt. The bolt compresses the frame sides onto the center tube and side washers of the front bushing. The rubber of the bushing flexes enough to allow the trailing arm to pivot as well as twist.

[Joe L.]

Re: Pivot point of the trailing arms??

The trailing arm does not pivot ON the bolt. The bolt compresses the frame sides onto the center tube and side washers of the front bushing. The rubber of the bushing flexes enough to allow the trailing arm to pivot as well as twist.

Terry and William------


...and this is also why the trailing arm forward bolt/nut must not be torqued until the suspension is in the normalized condition.

[Michael W.]

Re: Pivot point of the trailing arms??

Yes exactly, same principle as the bushings on the front suspension.

[Robert E.]

Re: Pivot point of the trailing arms??

I will be faced with installing my suspension shortly and do have a question.....how does one torque the trailing arm pivot bolt with the body on the car (1971)? There is absolutely no space for a socket on the bolt let alone a torque wrench. Is this accomplished by touch/previous experience?

Any suggestions?

Rob

Terry and William------


...and this is also why the trailing arm forward bolt/nut must not be torqued until the suspension is in the normalized condition.

[Terry M.]

Re: Pivot point of the trailing arms??

I will be faced with installing my suspension shortly and do have a question.....how does one torque the trailing arm pivot bolt with the body on the car (1971)? There is absolutely no space for a socket on the bolt let alone a torque wrench. Is this accomplished by touch/previous experience?

Any suggestions?

Rob

Here is the concept:

http://t-t-t-torque.blogspot.com/2009/12/math-problems-dealing-with-torque.html

There are wrenches with a box at one end and a 1/2-inch square at the other so that a torque wrench can be used to tighten the fastener, but the torque applied needs to be reduced by the length of the added extension. It is relatively simple math to work this out.

[Robert E.]

Re: Pivot point of the trailing arms??

Terry, I appreciate your response but there must be a simpler method that have been used by others.

Any suggestions?

Rob

Here is the concept:

http://t-t-t-torque.blogspot.com/2009/12/math-problems-dealing-with-torque.html

There are wrenches with a box at one end and a 1/2-inch square at the other so that a torque wrench can be used to tighten the fastener, but the torque applied needs to be reduced by the length of the added extension. It is relatively simple math to work this out.

[Joe L.]

Re: Pivot point of the trailing arms??

Here is the concept:

http://t-t-t-torque.blogspot.com/2009/12/math-problems-dealing-with-torque.html

There are wrenches with a box at one end and a 1/2-inch square at the other so that a torque wrench can be used to tighten the fastener, but the torque applied needs to be reduced by the length of the added extension. It is relatively simple math to work this out.

Terry------


That tool is called a TORQUE ADAPTER.

[Joe L.]

Re: Pivot point of the trailing arms??

Terry, I appreciate your response but there must be a simpler method that have been used by others.

Any suggestions?

Rob

Rob------

There's virtually no way to get a torque wrench equipped with either a socket, torque adapter, or crow's foot wrench on the bolt HEAD. Even if you were successful, the range of movement of the torque wrench would be so limited that you wouldn't be able to do anything useful.

The only way to do it is to use a box or open end wrench on the bolt head to retain it. Then, you have to use a torque wrench equipped with a torque adapter or a crow's foot wrench on the slotted nut. To make it even more difficult, the tires and wheels have to be off the car to do this. Then, you have to raise the trailing arms with a jack so that they are in the normal ride position.

Isn't there an easier way? Not if you want to apply the proper torque with a torque wrench.

[Terry M.]

Re: Pivot point of the trailing arms??

Terry, I appreciate your response but there must be a simpler method that have been used by others.

Any suggestions?

Rob

Now that Joe has provided the proper terminology I can look it up.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=644908&group_ID=682220&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog