When accelerating through a left turn the rear end will swing out while the rear tires are planted. Sometimes when accelerating in a straight it seems as if the axle is jerking like the rear trailing arms may have some bushing issues. Am I on the right track?

 

Check the panhard and panhard brace as well as the LCA's.

JamesC

 

We pulled one of the rear trailing arms. The bolts were corroded, the rubber bushings were in decent condition, but there was a lot of slop in the metal inserts where the bolts slide through. We do not have a point of reference to determine how much play is too much play. Should there ne any play in the arms when they are tightened?

 

The trailing arms will have some side to side play. They act as two force members, resisting only tension and compression. The pan hard bar and its associated brace provides the side to side control of the rear end.

If you add up the cost of replacement bushings for the rear control arms along with the effort to install them, a set of lakewood control arms from Summit, etc. for around $100 is a good buy.

 

I went to NAPA to look at their replacement bushings and the metal inserts were much tighter than what is on the car now. The machinist quoted me $20.00 to press each bushing. They can forget that.

 

You'll be happy with the lakewood LCA's. I love mine.

 

Side to side movement has more to do with the panhard bar. The lakewood lca's are a good buy. You can also check out ebay for some killer deals on them. I got a pair of sphon adjustables for 120. I would atleast replace the bushings on the panhard bar since you're already down there.

 

20 a bushing !? wow just use 2 pieces of metal, a bearing race and a big c clamp lol

 

I bought the stock bushings, but pushed through 1/2" 13 Grade 8 bolts.. Makes you feel a bit safer than the 3/8 ones that were in there..