trailing arm bolt problem

[Keith B.]

For the 67 I am working on after having them rebuilt by a well known place and using all new bolts the trailing arm bolts will not go though the bushings. Is this a common problem. Can I drill the bushings hole bigger

[Mike E.]

Re: trailing arm bolt problem

Keith ---
If it were me I would call whoever you bought them from and ask them. Make sure you get the name of the person you’re talking to. If they say yes and you somehow cut through the flair or the tube that holds everything together the tube will have to be replaced and re-flared. If the tube got crushed during the flaring process drilling it could weaken it too. You paid a lot of money for the arms they should be right.


Just the shipping alone for sending an arm can get very costly even if they agree to make the repairs for free. Does the bolt NOT fit on both sides? Did the vendor that supplied the arms also supply the bolt?


Mike

[Joel A.]

Re: trailing arm bolt problem

I agree..the bolts should slide thru the arm bushings. Should be snug, but you shouldn't have to knock them in, or resort to drilling the sleeve out. Sounds like someone over pressed the bushing ends to swedge the washer end on.

[Wayne W.]

Re: trailing arm bolt problem

I have run into some that are not quite the right size and are very tight. I just drill them out.

[Gary R.]

Re: trailing arm bolt problem

The quality of some of these parts is poor at best. I use a single source that I know works, but I've had new bushing come in from various vendors that were poorly made. I have seen sleeves with the wrong ID, too long or too shore, varience in the bushings, bushing OD's that were too small or large for the arm holes.
If the tube is slightly crimped on the ID from over compression then you can open the hole with a 7/16 bit but you have to be sure.