Trailing arm re-work - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

marty · 01-16-2002, 06:13 PM

I have a set of the SG HD trailing arms that I purchased for my Disco to replace the stock set-up. I want to re-fab these to conform to a 2-1/2" lift I have installed since buying these. The problem I'm having is the bushings at the frame, they keep tearing 'cause of the added angle.

I need to know how much of a offset or bend I have to put in the arms and also how much longer that stock do they have to be to compensate for the added lift.

Maybe someone has a set they could measure for me?

Marty

road1will · 01-16-2002, 07:29 PM

hey marty. sell them and buy a set of the rovertym ones. you'll be much happier

evilfij · 01-16-2002, 07:40 PM

Marty,

It depends on how you do them but ideally you want them level at the "ear" mount for maximum flex and minimal bind.

So with a 2.5" lift you need to bend them to equal a 2.5" rise (where you place the bend effects the angle). The you need to either sleeve them or weld reinforcing plates on the bottom.

Now the problem is that when you put in a bend you lose some length and this can throw your drive shaft angles out. how much do you want to add in length? Depends on a) what DS angle you want b) where and how much you bend.

So the bottom line is find someone with a set of RWs or SGs and copy the bend or just shell out the 150 for RWs or 225 for rovertym trailing arms

One last option is to just use poly trailing arm bushes. I have reds with a 3in lift and have not had a problem.

Ron

roverhybrids · 01-16-2002, 07:43 PM

Are the SG trailing arms bent? Or are they straight like the stock ones? Sounds like they are straight.
Usually the aftermarket links are bent to help relieve the binding at the frame bushing. I can't tell you the degree to bend them but you could just "eyeball" it then make the opposite side the same.
The links are usually shortened to rotate the pinion angle up for use with a double cardon drive shaft. I don't know if this is necessary for a disco with the amount of lift you have but for D90's this is common practice. I believe that the amount shortened is 1/2 inch.

evilfij · 01-16-2002, 07:46 PM

Marty,

Unless you are running a DC rear DS (I am 99% sure you are not) you want them longer. This corrects the pinion angle and keeps the tires away from the doors (a moot point for you soon

)Rovertym uses shims to allow you to change the length to mess with the pinion angle, I have seen them up to an inch longer.

Ron

road1will · 01-16-2002, 07:59 PM

ron, why do you run the reds? the reds flex like shiat! i used to have all reds on the RR, but i had sooooooooo little rear flex with my (stock) trailing arms. i switched over to the blue polys and wow! what a difference. no difference in ride AFAICT either. they conform so much better than the reds, i cant tell you enough. even if you had one of each in your hand, the reds are hard as a rock while the blues are relatively pliable as far as bushings go.

GO BLUE!!!!

evilfij · 01-16-2002, 08:13 PM

Yes reds do suck but they came with the truck.

Personally I like rubber

but when the rubber fails you can go to poly.

Ron

Old Scout · 01-16-2002, 08:46 PM

Why counldn't you take some 6061 plate stock and make a spacer that goes in between the mount and the poly bushing

The bushing just bolts on and 1/2" 6061 is cheap and easy to work with.

RockRover · 01-17-2002, 10:11 AM

I'm going to copy this design for my rear link configuration....I think with the Rover dimensions this would be perfect.

Nice links

marty · 01-17-2002, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MeenGreen63
hey marty. sell them and buy a set of the rovertym ones. you'll be much happier

Thanks for the input, I think I'll follow Wheeler's advice and just call John at RTE, it'll probably be cheaper in the end

Marty

merv · 01-22-2002, 01:18 PM

Good call to go for the Rovertym ones. I did and am impressed.

I was using blue poly's on the original arms with a 2" lift and drop out cones and the poly's split on me. Keep checking 'em!

Merv.

01-16-2002, 06:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
marty Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9172 Location: NE Posts: 53	Trailing arm re-work I have a set of the SG HD trailing arms that I purchased for my Disco to replace the stock set-up. I want to re-fab these to conform to a 2-1/2" lift I have installed since buying these. The problem I'm having is the bushings at the frame, they keep tearing 'cause of the added angle. I need to know how much of a offset or bend I have to put in the arms and also how much longer that stock do they have to be to compensate for the added lift. Maybe someone has a set they could measure for me? Marty

01-16-2002, 07:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
evilfij Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7755 Location: Main Line PA Posts: 1,953	Marty, It depends on how you do them but ideally you want them level at the "ear" mount for maximum flex and minimal bind. So with a 2.5" lift you need to bend them to equal a 2.5" rise (where you place the bend effects the angle). The you need to either sleeve them or weld reinforcing plates on the bottom. Now the problem is that when you put in a bend you lose some length and this can throw your drive shaft angles out. how much do you want to add in length? Depends on a) what DS angle you want b) where and how much you bend. So the bottom line is find someone with a set of RWs or SGs and copy the bend or just shell out the 150 for RWs or 225 for rovertym trailing arms One last option is to just use poly trailing arm bushes. I have reds with a 3in lift and have not had a problem. Ron __________________ :evil:

01-16-2002, 07:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
evilfij Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7755 Location: Main Line PA Posts: 1,953	Marty, Unless you are running a DC rear DS (I am 99% sure you are not) you want them longer. This corrects the pinion angle and keeps the tires away from the doors (a moot point for you soon )Rovertym uses shims to allow you to change the length to mess with the pinion angle, I have seen them up to an inch longer. Ron __________________ :evil:

01-16-2002, 08:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
evilfij Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7755 Location: Main Line PA Posts: 1,953	Yes reds do suck but they came with the truck. Personally I like rubber but when the rubber fails you can go to poly. Ron __________________ :evil:

01-16-2002, 08:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
Old Scout IH/Rover Moderator Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 17 Location: Aptos,Ca Posts: 13,399	Why counldn't you take some 6061 plate stock and make a spacer that goes in between the mount and the poly bushing The bushing just bolts on and 1/2" 6061 is cheap and easy to work with. __________________ I like beer. On occasion, I will even drink beer to celebrate a major event such as the fall of communism or the fact that the refrigerator is still working." BUY MY BOAT http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/misc-...e-history.html

01-16-2002, 07:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
road1will Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8871 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 3,344	hey marty. sell them and buy a set of the rovertym ones. you'll be much happier

01-16-2002, 07:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
roverhybrids Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Member # 3979 Location: redding, ca Posts: 694	Are the SG trailing arms bent? Or are they straight like the stock ones? Sounds like they are straight. Usually the aftermarket links are bent to help relieve the binding at the frame bushing. I can't tell you the degree to bend them but you could just "eyeball" it then make the opposite side the same. The links are usually shortened to rotate the pinion angle up for use with a double cardon drive shaft. I don't know if this is necessary for a disco with the amount of lift you have but for D90's this is common practice. I believe that the amount shortened is 1/2 inch.

01-16-2002, 07:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
road1will Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8871 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 3,344	ron, why do you run the reds? the reds flex like shiat! i used to have all reds on the RR, but i had sooooooooo little rear flex with my (stock) trailing arms. i switched over to the blue polys and wow! what a difference. no difference in ride AFAICT either. they conform so much better than the reds, i cant tell you enough. even if you had one of each in your hand, the reds are hard as a rock while the blues are relatively pliable as far as bushings go. GO BLUE!!!!

01-17-2002, 10:11 AM	#9 (permalink)
RockRover Rock God Join Date: Apr 2001 Member # 4101 Location: Santa Fe Posts: 2,232	I'm going to copy this design for my rear link configuration....I think with the Rover dimensions this would be perfect. Nice links __________________ Hendrix 'X' Chassis #006 http://www.hunt4steve.com/Doug.html

01-22-2002, 01:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
merv Granite Guru Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9396 Location: Kildare, Ireland Posts: 540	Good call to go for the Rovertym ones. I did and am impressed. I was using blue poly's on the original arms with a 2" lift and drop out cones and the poly's split on me. Keep checking 'em! Merv. __________________ Merv. Warning, spellchecker is switched off, gramma may be errotic.

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