Help!= Rear control arms 66 P.U. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jimmystepper · 10-09-2015, 10:37 PM

Hello, I blew my 66 short stepside all apart and found that the rear comtrol arms have a separation of about 1/4 to 3/8 inch about the last 2 feet along the length of the atm. How did chevy hold these 2 channels together? I expected there would be rivets but there are none. There are 5 holes through the web of the channel could I put grade 8 bolts thru them and pull it back together. Or could I weld some plate along the top and bottom? Thanks, Jimmy

dougf · 10-09-2015, 10:53 PM

I wouldn't weld them up completely as they need to flex under load. Mine are the same as yours due to rust scaling pushing them apart. When I get a chance I'm separating them, cleaning, painting, then using grade 5 bolts like you suggested and maybe a weld here and there for good measure.

rickywideglide · 10-09-2015, 11:24 PM

here are some pics of what i did to mine, the plate was added just to rear section and a couple welds on the rest Name: 034.jpg
Views: 261
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jimmystepper · 10-09-2015, 11:40 PM

Thanks for the ideas, I just found ECE early chassis enterprises sells a trailing arm reinforcement kit for 129$. I" m a little relieved because I don't want to spend 400=700 for new bars Thanks for the replies, Jimmy

**jayoldschool** · 10-10-2015, 12:28 PM

Replace them with good used. I had to do the same. They rust in the middle, and the rusting forces the two halves apart. An unfortunate consequence when the bed wood gives up and the moisture sits on top of the arms.

65 GMC · 10-11-2015, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

Replace them with good used. I had to do the same. They rust in the middle, and the rusting forces the two halves apart. An unfortunate consequence when the bed wood gives up and the moisture sits on top of the arms.

Wow those look just like the ones I pulled out today. I'm supposed to get another pair next weekend. Little brother hooked me up from one of his parts trucks.

**PGSigns** · 10-10-2015, 07:31 PM

Bad thin is that the rust pushing them apart used to be trailing arm material. I think you will find if you sand blast them thy are very thin in places. I would look for a good set.
Jimmy

jimmystepper · 10-11-2015, 12:58 PM

Jay thanks for sharing, mine aren't that bad, Jimmy

**jayoldschool** · 10-11-2015, 06:16 PM

No prob, I had to ask the same question a couple years ago! One of our members kindly hooked me up with a nice used set.

10-09-2015, 10:37 PM	#1
jimmystepper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Redding, Ca Posts: 10	Help!= Rear control arms 66 P.U. Hello, I blew my 66 short stepside all apart and found that the rear comtrol arms have a separation of about 1/4 to 3/8 inch about the last 2 feet along the length of the atm. How did chevy hold these 2 channels together? I expected there would be rivets but there are none. There are 5 holes through the web of the channel could I put grade 8 bolts thru them and pull it back together. Or could I weld some plate along the top and bottom? Thanks, Jimmy __________________ 1966 chev. short stepside

10-09-2015, 10:53 PM	#2
dougf Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Fort Campbell, KY Posts: 494	Re: Help!= Rear control arms 66 P.U. I wouldn't weld them up completely as they need to flex under load. Mine are the same as yours due to rust scaling pushing them apart. When I get a chance I'm separating them, cleaning, painting, then using grade 5 bolts like you suggested and maybe a weld here and there for good measure.

10-09-2015, 11:24 PM	#3
rickywideglide Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: mechanicsville,md Posts: 360	Re: Help!= Rear control arms 66 P.U. here are some pics of what i did to mine, the plate was added just to rear section and a couple welds on the rest

10-09-2015, 11:40 PM	#4
jimmystepper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Redding, Ca Posts: 10	Re: Help!= Rear control arms 66 P.U. Thanks for the ideas, I just found ECE early chassis enterprises sells a trailing arm reinforcement kit for 129$. I" m a little relieved because I don't want to spend 400=700 for new bars Thanks for the replies, Jimmy __________________ 1966 chev. short stepside

10-10-2015, 12:28 PM	#5
jayoldschool Moderator Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 2,176	Re: Help!= Rear control arms 66 P.U. Replace them with good used. I had to do the same. They rust in the middle, and the rusting forces the two halves apart. An unfortunate consequence when the bed wood gives up and the moisture sits on top of the arms.

10-10-2015, 07:31 PM	#7
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: Help!= Rear control arms 66 P.U. Bad thin is that the rust pushing them apart used to be trailing arm material. I think you will find if you sand blast them thy are very thin in places. I would look for a good set. Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

10-11-2015, 12:58 PM	#8
jimmystepper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Redding, Ca Posts: 10	Re: Help!= Rear control arms 66 P.U. Jay thanks for sharing, mine aren't that bad, Jimmy __________________ 1966 chev. short stepside

10-11-2015, 06:16 PM	#9
jayoldschool Moderator Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 2,176	Re: Help!= Rear control arms 66 P.U. No prob, I had to ask the same question a couple years ago! One of our members kindly hooked me up with a nice used set.

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