Author |
Message |
chiefdaveboats Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2017 Posts: 47 Location: Warsaw, MO
|
Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 9:43 am Post subject: IRS Trailing arm suggestions |
|
|
I finally have my rail roadworthy. I do want to replace the stock trailing arms and am looking for advice.
Use is mainly on the street but will go off road every once in a while. Want stock position lower shock mounts already welded on, my top mounts are frame mounts about 4" above the stock position. Cost is a factor and don't want to go over $600 for the whole project (arms/bearings/seals/bushings).
I'd like to stay away from anything EMPI markets, to date my experience with their parts has been for the most part unsatisfactory. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
cbeck Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2014 Posts: 2495 Location: high ridge, mo
|
Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 5:12 pm Post subject: Re: IRS Trailing arm suggestions |
|
|
If you are not going wider or longer you might as well add a reinforcing plate kit and put shock mounts where you need them. Eshocks.com has some good info about valving, extended, and compressed lengths. You can also notch your spring plates and gain some travel, but keep a eye on your max cv angles. The baja bug and buggies book has some good, old skool info. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dustymojave Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2007 Posts: 5802 Location: Lake LA, Mojave Desert, SoCal
|
Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 8:29 pm Post subject: Re: IRS Trailing arm suggestions |
|
|
I don't know of anybody who sells arms ready for your setup. They will need to be built custom. _________________ Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
chiefdaveboats Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2017 Posts: 47 Location: Warsaw, MO
|
Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 7:30 am Post subject: Re: IRS Trailing arm suggestions |
|
|
Forgot to mention that my right trailing arm slightly bent so I might as well go after market since it has to be replaced anyway. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Kizbo Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2014 Posts: 106 Location: KY
|
Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 12:16 pm Post subject: Re: IRS Trailing arm suggestions |
|
|
chiefdaveboats wrote: |
Forgot to mention that my right trailing arm slightly bent so I might as well go after market since it has to be replaced anyway. |
I hope this isn't high-jacking, but I'd be curious if there were any tricks to straighten up a slightly bent trailing arm (while on the rail)....maybe with leverage of some sorts? I've got the same problem and on the same side as you do. While it's not a terrible bend, at least for an offroad set-up, it's just enough to agitate my O.C.D. Maybe that could be a potential option to replacement? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
vwjetboat Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2017 Posts: 1732 Location: Florida
|
Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 12:29 pm Post subject: Re: IRS Trailing arm suggestions |
|
|
summit racing.. or ebay.. you can buy just about everything off the shelf for all the links but you will need to do some welding and fab work.. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
cbeck Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2014 Posts: 2495 Location: high ridge, mo
|
Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 7:27 pm Post subject: Re: IRS Trailing arm suggestions |
|
|
I think you might be able to pull it off with your budget, but will need to go stock size. Don't think new axles will fall with in your budget. Will still need to fab shock mounts. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
SamT Samba Member
Joined: April 17, 2009 Posts: 1761 Location: Rule, Tx
|
Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2017 3:30 pm Post subject: Re: IRS Trailing arm suggestions |
|
|
Kizbo wrote: |
chiefdaveboats wrote: |
Forgot to mention that my right trailing arm slightly bent so I might as well go after market since it has to be replaced anyway. |
I hope this isn't high-jacking, but I'd be curious if there were any tricks to straighten up a slightly bent trailing arm (while on the rail)....maybe with leverage of some sorts? I've got the same problem and on the same side as you do. While it's not a terrible bend, at least for an offroad set-up, it's just enough to agitate my O.C.D. Maybe that could be a potential option to replacement? |
You can take a sawzall and cut most the way through it in the direction it needs to come, bend it where you like it and then weld it back. Add some bracing afterwards. _________________ Rides:
300HP 900lb turbo VW rail 18/15 travel
Never ending jeep/rzr hybrid build!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=546712 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Multi69s Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 5364 Location: Lefty, CA
|
Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2017 5:00 pm Post subject: Re: IRS Trailing arm suggestions |
|
|
Kizbo wrote: |
chiefdaveboats wrote: |
Forgot to mention that my right trailing arm slightly bent so I might as well go after market since it has to be replaced anyway. |
I hope this isn't high-jacking, but I'd be curious if there were any tricks to straighten up a slightly bent trailing arm (while on the rail)....maybe with leverage of some sorts? I've got the same problem and on the same side as you do. While it's not a terrible bend, at least for an offroad set-up, it's just enough to agitate my O.C.D. Maybe that could be a potential option to replacement? |
Two options:
1) If it were me, change out bad arm with good, then reinforce both arms. Off road they WILL bend again.
2) Take to frame shop and let THEM straighten it, then reinforce. _________________ 69 road Bug 2110
73 Squareback - 2L, T4, Automatic W/ AC
Gone, but many fond memories 69 Baja Bug 2010 - 5 Rib Bus Transaxle
Gone but not forgotten 72 Baja Bug 2010
My builds
T4 into Squareback http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=458944&highlight=
Auto Trans Rebuild http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=516066&highlight=
AC in Squareback https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight= |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Kizbo Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2014 Posts: 106 Location: KY
|
Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2017 6:39 am Post subject: Re: IRS Trailing arm suggestions |
|
|
Good suggestions and solutions from both of you fellas that'd I'd never thought of before. Thanks |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|