Trailing Arm Bushing

Remove and replace the rear trailing arm bushings on a 2008 Dodge Viper, requiring rear suspension disassembly and bushing pressing or cutting.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Trailing arm bushing (front) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Trailing arm bushing (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 manufacturer-approved lift points on chassis
5. Remove rear wheels
6. Apply penetrating oil to all trailing arm fasteners and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Support trailing arm
   Position a floor jack under the trailing arm near the hub assembly to support the weight of the suspension. Raise jack just enough to take the load off the bushings but not to lift the vehicle.
2. 2

   Disconnect shock absorber lower mount
   Locate the shock absorber lower mounting bolt at the trailing arm. Using a socket and breaker bar, remove the lower shock mounting bolt. Swing the shock out of the way or allow it to hang freely.
3. 3

   Remove rear trailing arm-to-knuckle bolt
   At the rear of the trailing arm where it connects to the hub/knuckle assembly, remove the through-bolt. This is typically a large diameter bolt. Support the trailing arm with the jack as you remove this fastener to prevent the arm from dropping.
4. 4

   Remove front trailing arm mounting bolt
   At the front chassis mounting point, remove the through-bolt that secures the trailing arm bushing to the chassis bracket. You may need to adjust jack height slightly to relieve binding on the bolt. Once removed, carefully lower the trailing arm and remove it from the vehicle.
5. 5

   Inspect trailing arm and bushings
   With the trailing arm removed, inspect the bushing bores for corrosion, damage, or distortion. Clean the outer surface of the arm around the bushing areas with a wire brush. Note the orientation of the old bushings before removal, particularly any offset or alignment features.
6. 6

   Remove old bushings
   Using a hydraulic press with appropriately sized mandrels, press out the old bushings from the trailing arm. If a press is not available, carefully cut through the bushing rubber and inner sleeve using a reciprocating saw, taking care not to damage the trailing arm bore. Once cut, collapse the bushing and drive out the outer shell with a chisel or drift. Clean the bushing bore thoroughly with a wire wheel or die grinder to remove all rust and old bushing material.
7. 7

   Prepare new bushings and trailing arm
   Clean the new bushing outer diameter and the trailing arm bore with brake cleaner or degreaser. Verify that the new bushings match the orientation and design of the originals. Some bushings may have directional arrows or offset designs that must be aligned correctly during installation.
8. 8

   Press in new bushings
   Using a hydraulic press with appropriate mandrels or a bushing installation tool, carefully press the new bushings into the trailing arm bores. Ensure the bushing is aligned squarely with the bore to prevent cocking or damage. Press until the bushing is fully seated and flush with the trailing arm housing. Repeat for both front and rear bushings on the trailing arm.
9. 9

   Install trailing arm to chassis
   Lift the trailing arm into position using the floor jack. Align the front bushing with the chassis bracket and insert the front mounting through-bolt. Thread the nut onto the bolt but do not fully tighten yet. The bushing should be torqued with the vehicle at ride height to prevent premature bushing failure.
10. 10

    Connect trailing arm to knuckle
    Align the rear of the trailing arm with the hub/knuckle assembly. Insert the rear mounting through-bolt and thread the nut. Again, do not fully tighten at this time.
11. 11

    Reconnect shock absorber
    Align the shock absorber lower mount with the trailing arm mounting point. Insert the shock mounting bolt and thread the nut. Tighten this fastener to specification once the trailing arm bolts are torqued.
12. 12

    Torque all fasteners at ride height
    Lower the vehicle until the rear suspension is at normal ride height (tires on ground, vehicle weight on suspension). This is critical for bushing longevity. Torque the front and rear suspension arm mounting bolts and the shock absorber lower mounting bolt to the factory-specified values. Torque specifications are NOT verified for this vehicle and must be obtained from the 2008 Viper factory service manual before final assembly — do not use estimated values on suspension fasteners.

Reassembly

1. Install wheels and torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern
2. Lower vehicle completely to the ground
3. Perform a final torque check on all lug nuts after lowering
4. Repeat entire procedure for opposite side trailing arm if replacing both sides

Verification

• Visually inspect that all fasteners are installed and tightened
• Check that shock absorbers are properly connected and not binding
• Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area and verify no abnormal noises from rear suspension
• Check for proper tracking and alignment; professional alignment is recommended after trailing arm bushing replacement
• Re-torque all suspension fasteners after 50-100 miles of driving

More procedures for this vehicle