1G AWD lower rear trailing arm repair?

[BGage]

I just checked the lower rear control arms on my 1G AWD and its curtains for the front ends (all loose)! My question : Is anyone still selling the repair
parts to fix this problem? The two shops that used to sell a kit to fix this problem seem to be out of business. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[RayPeters]

I'm working on it, but nothing right this moment. Follow this thread, it will keep you up to date.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254700http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254700

If you would send me your wrecked bushing, I need the inner pin and the outer sleeve, I can get started on these faster than finding the time to tear apart one of my cars.

 

[BGage]

I am not sure you understand my plight ... I have the two lower control arms ... they have a bushing at the front end of both arms ... the bushings are FINE ... it is the connection in between the housing holding that bushing and the main part of the arm. The end is retained in the control arm with a vertical bolt. That whole assembly is LOOSE in the control arm on both sides of the car. The only device I have seen to remedy the problem is a "toe eliminator kit" to weld in , or new trailing arms. One kit was sold by Taboo ... another by Diamond Star Specialties. I am not at all sure that what you wanted me to see is even close to what I need. If you are planning to do something for
remedy of my problem I'd love to hear about it but I don't believe we were on the same page were we? Worse yet is the idea that both those suppliers are now gone.

 

[unlmtdndeavor]

It is still possible to purchase the DSS kit...pm me if you're interested and I can help you out getting a set.

 

[RayPeters]

I am not sure you understand my plight ... I have the two lower control arms ... they have a bushing at the front end of both arms ... the bushings are FINE ... it is the connection in between the housing holding that bushing and the main part of the arm. The end is retained in the control arm with a vertical bolt. That whole assembly is LOOSE in the control arm on both sides of the car. The only device I have seen to remedy the problem is a "toe eliminator kit" to weld in , or new trailing arms. One kit was sold by Taboo ... another by Diamond Star Specialties. I am not at all sure that what you wanted me to see is even close to what I need. If you are planning to do something for
remedy of my problem I'd love to hear about it but I don't believe we were on the same page were we? Worse yet is the idea that both those suppliers are now gone.

I am in fact working on your problem. I don't have anything physical to take a picture of right now, but those kits used to work well and I think there is still a need for these parts. So, the link didn't show you what you are looking for, but subscribe and it will soon enough. The rally car destroys those rubber ones in a few weekends so a solution will be developed. Stay tuned.

 

[BGage]

Well, I guess I was mistaken! Let me ask you something then. The front bushing housing that inserts into the stock trailing arm and is secured by a vertical bolt & nut is housed in what? A bushing? an insert? ... what? I see that replacement of that housing with a heim joint and steel insert like a "DSS" style kit would replace that whole thing while tying the formerly two piece assembly into a much more solid single unit. Is that set up suitable for use on the street? Streets here indicate governmental waste is at a new hi... uh... low... uh... well, the road quality here just simply sucks out loud! (still, OE went 185,000 Miles)
What are you considering as an alternative or will you do something "similar"? The reason I ask is this: it's great to have time available to do R&D but mine is a daily driver. In addition I have a required 'state inspection' of said vehicle due this month. This needs to be addressed previously. Time is not on my side I admit that, but still, I must do something more quickly than I prefer to.
Thanks for your time.
BGage

 

[RayPeters]

Well, I guess I was mistaken! Let me ask you something then. The front bushing housing that inserts into the stock trailing arm and is secured by a vertical bolt & nut is housed in what? A bushing? an insert? ... what? I see that replacement of that housing with a heim joint and steel insert like a "DSS" style kit would replace that whole thing while tying the formerly two piece assembly into a much more solid single unit. Is that set up suitable for use on the street? Streets here indicate governmental waste is at a new hi... uh... low... uh... well, the road quality here just simply sucks out loud! (still, OE went 185,000 Miles)
What are you considering as an alternative or will you do something "similar"? The reason I ask is this: it's great to have time available to do R&D but mine is a daily driver. In addition I have a required 'state inspection' of said vehicle due this month. This needs to be addressed previously. Time is not on my side I admit that, but still, I must do something more quickly than I prefer to.
Thanks for your time.
BGage

That gives me 2 weeks.... Hmmm I'll have an answer for you by monday the 12th if I'm going to be able to meet your deadline. The state inspectors won't know what their looking at as long as it doesn't wobble and looks secure you're good 2 go. I'll try to keep you updated on what I am thinking.

Ray

 

[BGage]

Ok ... it will take me that long to check out any other alternatives I may have available.
"Satan" says nada on the one arm ... the other is cheap ... IF YOU'RE BILL GATES!
That forces repair, not replacement, but as I said ... time is an enemy. On the other hand I'd
rather have it fixed properly. So I look forward to seeing your ideas. Thanks.

 

[BGage]

Well it is Monday, and I have found a fix for my problem I believe. I'll let you know soon as to exactly what I ended up doing, but let me say that I may be able to do these things more reasonably than others did in the past, so, as soon as mine is done I'll let you know what I did, and how. I am still interested, however, in what you have in mind as regards this type of repair, as well as those other items you have started on. I really think I need a set of those as well. I hope to get some as soon as you make them available. Thanks !
BGage

 

[BGage]

Ok ... the job's DONE ... it took almost a month but it's finally DONE!

We used the tried & true method of building a steel plug, threading it to accept a Rod End (Heim) joint & made a four spacers to solidly mount the rod ends in place. Once the plug was made we pressed it into the stock opening with a mild press fit. After it was seated we welded it around the circumference and also welded it inside (using the orig. retaining bolt holes for access to the inside) around the rear of the plug.

I immediately noticed a change in handling. One seems to need to drive the car more like a Porsche as in: enter a corner a little (emphasis on little) slower than you used to ... then, just about 10% prior to where you used to add power you can now DRILL IT and it will go around that corner faster than one would ever deem possible. Nothing like this was remotely possible with that OE set of garbage the factory hung on us.

I have been so amazed at what it did to the car's handling that I just can't express my satisfaction enough. I should have done this YEARS ago. The car sits somewhat more ^ up (.4 inch) at the back even though I didn't change my Eibachs. It must be due to lack of the deflection the old arms had ?!? The idea that the control arm(s) now run through an accurate arc with no toe under side loading is one the car really seems to like. (Uhhh, for you drag racers it helped there too! Much better off the line.)

We did it at about the same price as the kit that was available from someone previously. So if anyone wants to have it done for themselves, drop me a line & we can discuss it. Please, be ready to wait up to 40 days for them. I will not rush these men (again, * ). I waited & got a PRO BUILT PIECE. You will also.
The individuals that built this also build the finest sprint car quick change rear axle assembly available anwhere, so you know it's got to be true TOP QUALITY!
A 7.1 megapixel photograph is available to show the completed mod.
[But please, be serious or be gone, don't waste my time. Thanks.]

Now, what about those new mounts for that subframe Ray? If this mod did what it did ... those new mounts will only help me more! I really hope to hear from you soon ! Thanks!

BGage

 

[RayPeters]

Ok ... the job's DONE ... it took almost a month but it's finally DONE!

We used the tried & true method of building a steel plug, threading it to accept a Rod End (Heim) joint & made a four spacers to solidly mount the rod ends in place. Once the plug was made we pressed it into the stock opening with a mild press fit. After it was seated we welded it around the circumference and also welded it inside (using the orig. retaining bolt holes for access to the inside) around the rear of the plug.

I immediately noticed a change in handling. One seems to need to drive the car more like a Porsche as in: enter a corner a little (emphasis on little) slower than you used to ... then, just about 10% prior to where you used to add power you can now DRILL IT and it will go around that corner faster than one would ever deem possible. Nothing like this was remotely possible with that OE set of garbage the factory hung on us.

I have been so amazed at what it did to the car's handling that I just can't express my satisfaction enough. I should have done this YEARS ago. The car sits somewhat more ^ up (.4 inch) at the back even though I didn't change my Eibachs. It must be due to lack of the deflection the old arms had ?!? The idea that the control arm(s) now run through an accurate arc with no toe under side loading is one the car really seems to like. (Uhhh, for you drag racers it helped there too! Much better off the line.)

We did it at about the same price as the kit that was available from someone previously. So if anyone wants to have it done for themselves, drop me a line & we can discuss it. Please, be ready to wait up to 40 days for them. I will not rush these men (again, * ). I waited & got a PRO BUILT PIECE. You will also.
The individuals that built this also build the finest sprint car quick change rear axle assembly available anwhere, so you know it's got to be true TOP QUALITY!
A 7.1 megapixel photograph is available to show the completed mod.
[But please, be serious or be gone, don't waste my time. Thanks.]

Now, what about those new mounts for that subframe Ray? If this mod did what it did ... those new mounts will only help me more! I really hope to hear from you soon ! Thanks!

BGage

Awesome to hear you liked your heim install!! As for the subframe, good news, I have everything to do the rear subframe ready to rock and roll out the door!! I can hook you up.

Let me know!!