Trailing Arm Bushing

This procedure covers the replacement of worn or damaged trailing arm bushings on the rear suspension of a 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 RWD.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Trailing arm bushing kit (front) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Trailing arm bushing kit (rear) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Chock the front wheels securely
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at frame rails
5. Remove rear wheels completely
6. Spray all trailing arm bolts with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 15 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Support the rear axle
   Position a floor jack under the rear axle differential to support the axle assembly. Raise jack until it just contacts the axle but does not lift it. This maintains suspension geometry and prevents components from hanging.
2. 2

   Remove trailing arm front mounting bolt
   Locate the front trailing arm mounting bolt at the frame bracket. Using a breaker bar and socket, remove the front mounting bolt and nut. The bolt may be seized; apply additional penetrating oil if necessary. Remove the bolt completely and inspect the mounting area for corrosion.
3. 3

   Remove trailing arm rear mounting bolt
   Locate the rear trailing arm mounting bolt at the axle bracket. Remove the rear mounting bolt and nut. Note the position and orientation of any washers or spacers. Once both bolts are removed, lower the trailing arm and remove it from the vehicle.
4. 4

   Mark bushing orientation
   Before removing the old bushings, mark their orientation with paint or a marker. Note the position of any voids, slits, or flat spots in the bushing. Take photos if necessary. This ensures correct installation of the new bushings.
5. 5

   Remove front trailing arm bushing
   Using a hydraulic press or trailing arm bushing removal tool, press out the front bushing from the trailing arm. Apply force evenly to avoid damaging the trailing arm bore. If using a C-clamp method, ensure adequate support and use proper sized adapters to avoid arm deformation.
6. 6

   Remove rear trailing arm bushing
   Using the same method as the front bushing, press out the rear bushing from the trailing arm. Clean the bushing bore thoroughly with a wire brush, removing all rust, debris, and old rubber. Inspect the bore for damage, cracks, or excessive wear.
7. 7

   Install new front bushing
   Apply a light coat of dish soap or bushing installation lubricant to the outer sleeve of the new front bushing. Align the bushing according to your orientation marks. Using a hydraulic press or installation tool, press the bushing into the trailing arm bore until it is fully seated and flush with both sides of the arm.
8. 8

   Install new rear bushing
   Apply installation lubricant to the new rear bushing outer sleeve. Align properly and press into the trailing arm bore until fully seated. Verify both bushings are seated completely and oriented correctly before reinstallation.
9. 9

   Reinstall trailing arm to vehicle
   Position the trailing arm with new bushings back into the mounting locations. Insert the rear mounting bolt through the axle bracket and trailing arm first, but do not tighten. Then insert the front mounting bolt through the frame bracket and trailing arm. Thread nuts onto both bolts hand-tight only at this stage.
10. 10

    Load suspension to ride height
    Using the floor jack under the axle, raise the axle until the suspension is at normal ride height (vehicle sitting level). This ensures bushings are torqued in their operating position, preventing premature wear and binding.
11. 11

    Torque trailing arm mounting bolts
    With the suspension at ride height, torque the front and rear trailing arm mounting bolts. These fasteners should be torqued to manufacturer specifications, typically in the range of control arm fasteners. Verify bolts are fully seated before final torque.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Repeat for opposite side
    Repeat steps 2 through 11 for the trailing arm on the opposite side of the vehicle. Ensure both sides are completed and torqued properly before lowering the vehicle.
13. 13

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall the rear wheels, threading lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle until wheels just contact the ground. Torque lug nuts in a star pattern to specification. Remove jack stands and fully lower the vehicle.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all mounting hardware is torqued to specification with suspension at ride height
2. Verify no tools or parts are left under the vehicle
3. Double-check that all fasteners have been properly tightened

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify no unusual noises from the rear suspension
• Check for proper tracking and alignment during straight-line driving
• Visually inspect all trailing arm mounting points for proper installation and hardware security
• Re-torque all fasteners after 50-100 miles of driving
• Schedule a professional alignment check, as bushing replacement can affect rear axle positioning

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