Mud-club

Vehicle & Technical => Defender => Topic started by: spinkster on March 05, 2007, 10:39:54

Title: Rear trailing arms
Post by: spinkster on March 05, 2007, 10:39:54

Hi gang I havnt been on here in a while but i'll jump right on in with a question. I have a 110csw with a 2 inch lift and 285-75-16 tyres . now the rear trailing arms are of the straight variety and seem to me to put alot of stress on the big bush to the chassis, now this week i am changing my bushes out for a poly bush set and was wondering if its possible to put a wee bend on the trailing arm myself (i have all the proper equiptment for the job) Its a hollow trailing arm (as far as i can tell) but if i put a 6 degree bend on it are there any problems i should look out for? Is this a stupid idea? am i likely to open a can of worms and maybe make the arm too short?

As allways any help received is greatly appreciated

Title: Rear trailing arms
Post by: SteveG on March 05, 2007, 11:01:18

you can, but you'd need to strengthen them. If you have the skills it's probably better to start from scratch a build and heavier duty set, like the one you can get from Gwyn Lewis..
http://www.gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/page17.html

Cheers

Steve

Title: Rear trailing arms
Post by: Eeyore on March 05, 2007, 11:04:57

In short - yes, but don't.

In long.......
Whilst you can put the bend in, it'll also encourage the arm to bend in service (particularly when reversing) - in a kind of 'terminal to arm' kinda way.

At the very least, any non-straight rear arm must be reinforced to ensure that its the bush that absorbs any axial loading, and not the bend in the arm.

Bending the rear arms does also serve to shorten them fractionaly, which upsets the castor of the axle. Whilst this doesn't effect the steering, it adds a bit more strain on the diff UJ and on the damper bushes.

Other solutions to the problem (which isn't much of problem, in all honesty) is to either buy a set of cranked radius arms, or to buy a set of wedges for the trailing arm bushes - these serve to reorientate the bush instead.

HTH

cheers
 8)
Eeyore

Title: Rear trailing arms
Post by: spinkster on March 05, 2007, 11:18:29

thanks for your speedy replies i think i'll just suffer on as is until i can spare hundred odd quid for a new pre cranked set

Title: Rear trailing arms
Post by: Budgie on March 05, 2007, 15:28:19

I'm sure MM4x4 (http://www.mm-4x4.com/Shop/index.htm) do the Trailing Arm Kicker Plates for about £40 the pair but I can't find them on their website just now. Maybe worth a phone call if you don't fancy the £130 for new arms.  :wink:

Title: Rear trailing arms
Post by: rollazuki on March 05, 2007, 15:42:36

Sleeve it if you can and bend the [!Expletive Deleted!]?
Bend it and run a section of angle on the underside as a stiffener?
Im sure theres plenty of ways you can restore strength into the mildly bent arm.


If it shortens the arm, itll pull the bottom of the axle forewards slightly, thus service to point the diff nose upwards. Maybe you will get a little prop vibration? There is no camber setting as such,for the rear axle.


Get a pair of second hand arms and do a trial bend, see how they go, see how the bracing needs to sit.

Title: Rear trailing arms
Post by: Muddy on March 05, 2007, 16:21:20

C'mon spinks i'm sure you and dex can knock some up!

I have added you on msn by the way hope you dont mind. :)