Trailing Arms

[GregGP]

Does anyone happen to have the torque specs for the trailing arms on a 2001 GP GT? I was rotating my tires tonight and somehow one of the trailing arms ended up getting twisted to the point that it's almost rubbing the tire.

[olopezm]

Hi Greg,

Good thing you didn't drive with those things bad, it's not a good experience; one of mines broke while doing 40 MPH (luckily).

Oscar.

[GregGP]

I bet that was rough! Actually, I think mine got damaged when I hydroplaned off the road and went sliding across the median sideways at about 70mph a while back.. Those trailing arms don't seem like they're very strong when something applies force from the side..

Originally Posted by olopezm

Hi Greg,

Good thing you didn't drive with those things bad, it's not a good experience; one of mines broke while doing 40 MPH (luckily).

Oscar.

[olopezm]

Originally Posted by GregGP

I bet that was rough! Actually, I think mine got damaged when I hydroplaned off the road and went sliding across the median sideways at about 70mph a while back.. Those trailing arms don't seem like they're very strong when something applies force from the side..

Yes it was!;

At first I started to hear a rattling sound coming from the back, like a wire was stuck on the body; then It felt like a big hit while driving, I thought a wheel had come off; a long time ago same thing happened with one of the front wheels on an '88 cutlass, but the car never felt out of balance. When I finally stopped I went out of the car and everything seemed fine, wheels were in place, none flat, etc. I decided to drive a few feet with my head outisde of the window so I could see what was going on, BIG surprise when I saw the wheel moving back and forth on the wheel well. I was like DAMN! Needless to say I had to call the tow truck...

When I finally replaced both trailing arms and after inspecting the one that broke (driver side) I found it it had broken before but the previous owner, being a cheap guy, had it welded instead of replacing it .

The greatest thing (and I'm very thankful about it) is that it didn't brake the day before as I was driving at night on the highway with heavy traffic! I don't want to imagine what would have happened in that case.

You can see some pictures of the broken arm here

Best regards,

Oscar.

[GregGP]

Wow. It's a good thing you made it out of that OK! I wonder what the previous owner was smoking to make him think that it would be a good idea to weld it..

So when you replaced it, did you stick with the OEM style, or the tubular type offered by Dorman? I got the Dorman one http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-11580-905-501.aspx. They claim that it is an improved design, but it seems awefully thin to me.

[olopezm]

Wow! Those things look thin...

I had to stick with OEM but I really wanted to upgrade to a better design. There are no good aftermarket places overhere the most common brands are monroe, moog and boge but no shop would carry the trailing arms, they mostly sell front suspension componentsñ so I ended up going to the dealer and ordering OEM´s, I still can´t believe how the arms being so thin can hold that much...

Oscar.

[rickisrad]

I would upgrade to a gmpp or zzp cromolly trailing arm. you will be glad you did. the dorman is definately a step up from the oe stamped crap but still not as heavy duty as the performance ones out there.