QA1 5234 Adjustable Lower Trailing Arms Instruction Manual

: June 10, 2024
: QA1

Table of Contents

QA1 5234 Adjustable Lower Trailing Arms
Product Information
Product Usage Instructions
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES REQUIRED
Technical Support Line
DISCLAIMER / WARRANTY
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

QA1 5234 Adjustable Lower Trailing Arms

Product Information

The QA1 Adjustable Lower Trailing Arms are designed for 1971-1996 GM B-Body and 1978-1988 G-Body vehicles. The trailing arms are shipped at an adjusted length of 22 inches for B-Body and 19.25 inches for G-Body. The trailing arms come with hardware kits for different vehicle years, bolt sizes, and final torque specifications. The stock trailing arm mounted rear sway bar will not work with these trailing arms. Rear sway bars for B-Body and G-Body vehicles are available as QA1 rear sway bar p/n 52851 and p/n 52853, respectively.

Product Usage Instructions

Before installation, ensure that the vehicle is on a level surface and tire chocks are in front of and behind the front tires.
If equipped, remove the rear sway bar.
Remove the rear bolt of either trailing arm and then the front trailing arm bolt using a socket with an extension.
Remove the unbolted trailing arm and clean the frame at the trailing arm pivot area with a wire brush.
Ensure both trailing arms are at the intended center/center length before beginning the installation.
Install the trailing arm with the rod end on the frame and the bushing on the axle with the grease fitting pointed down. Some vehicles may need the front mounting tab slightly opened to fit the trailing arm.
Secure the front mount using the correct hardware for the vehicle and torque to the spec shown in the hardware kit for the correct application.
Install the bushing end of the trailing arm into the rear mount with the grease fitting facing down. Secure the arm using the correctly sized hardware with two washers and one nyloc nut. Torque to 70 lb. ft. with the vehicle at or simulating (jacking the axle up to) ride height.
Loosen the jam nuts before adjusting the hex of the linkage. Adjust the length of the arm until the wheel is centered in the wheel well. DO NOT EXCEED the maximum listed center/center length on the mounting bolts for either application.
After the trailing arms are adjusted to the desired length, tighten the jam nuts against the rod end and trailing arm before driving the vehicle.
Read all instructions carefully and thoroughly prior to starting installation. Use the proper jacking locations. Death or serious injury can result if instructions are not correctly followed. A good chassis manual, available at your local parts store, may also aid in your installation.

For any technical support, contact QA1 Technical Support Line at 952-985-5675 or email at sales@QA1.net.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

QA1 P/N 5201, Adjustable Lower Trailing Arms ’71-‘96 GM B-Body P/N 5234, Adjustable Lower Trailing Arms ’78-’88 G Body

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES REQUIRED

Floor Jack
Jack Stands
SAE Sockets and Wrench Set
Torque Wrench
Tire Chocks

PRE-INSTALLATION NOTES:

The stock trailing arm mounted rear sway bar WILL NOT WORK with these trailing arms. ’71-’96 B-Body vehicles should use QA1 rear sway bar p/n 52851. ’78-’88 G-Body vehicles should use QA1 rear sway bar p/n 52853.

REMOVAL OF STOCK TRAILING ARMS

Place the vehicle on a level surface and place tire chocks in front of and behind the front tires.
Support the rear of the vehicle on jack stands and remove the rear wheels.
Place a floor jack under the differential to support and remove tension from the trailing arm bolts – make sure not to lift the vehicle off of the jack stands.
CAUTION: DO NOT REMOVE BOTH TRAILING ARMS AT THE SAME TIME OR THE AXLE WILL ROTATE AND THE TRAILING ARM INSTALLATION WILL BE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT. KEEP THE AXLE SUPPORT UNDER THE VEHICLE DURING THE COMPLETE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION PROCEDURE.
If equipped, remove the sway bar at this time. Start with either trailing arm and remove the rear bolt.
Remove the front trailing arm bolt using a socket with an extension – place the socket through the outer hole in the frame to loosen this connection.
Remove the unbolted trailing arm.
Clean the frame at the trailing arm pivot area with a wire brush.

INSTALLATION

NOTE: These trailing arms are shipped at an adjusted length (22” for ’71-’96 B-body and 19.25” for ’78-’88 G-body which is the factory length for each application. Ensure both trailing arms are at the intended center/center length before beginning the installation.

There are two hardware kits included in the 5201 trailing arms for the ‘71-‘96 B-Body dependent on the year of the vehicle. Select the correct hardware kit for the year of your B-Body:

HARDWARE PART #	VEHICLE YEAR	BOLT SIZE	FINAL TORQUE
7039-320	1971-1977 B-Body	9/16”	79 LB. FT.
7039-326	1978-1996 B-Body	14mm	75 LB. FT.
7039-339	1978-1988 G-Body	12mm	55 LB. FT.

With one high-misalignment spacer in each side of the rod end (Figure 1), install the trailing arm with the rod end on the frame and the bushing on the axle with the grease fitting pointed down. Some vehicles may need the front mounting tab slightly opened to fit the trailing arm.
Secure the front mount using the correct hardware for the vehicle. Torque to the spec shown above for the correct application.
Install the bushing end of the trailing arm into the rear mount with the grease fitting facing down. (Figure 2) Secure the arm using the correctly sized hardware with two washers and one nyloc nut. Torque to 70 lb. ft. with the vehicle at or simulating (jacking the axle up to) ride height.
TRAILING ARM ADJUSTMENT
With the vehicle at or simulating ride height, loosen the jam nuts before adjusting the hex of the linkage. Adjust the length of the arm until the wheel is centered in the wheel well. DO NOT EXCEED the maximum listed center/center length on the mounting bolts for either application:
After the trailing arms are adjusted to the desired length, tighten the jam nuts against the rod end and trailing arm before driving the vehicle.

Technical Support Line

952-985-5675

Email: sales@QA1.net
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY PRIOR TO STARTING INSTALLATION. PRODUCTS THAT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RETURN. USE THE PROPER JACKING LOCATIONS. DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY CAN RESULT IF INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT CORRECTLY FOLLOWED. A GOOD CHASSIS MANUAL, AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL PARTS STORE, MAY ALSO AID IN YOUR INSTALLATION.

DISCLAIMER / WARRANTY

QA1 WARRANTS THAT THE PRODUCTS WILL BE FREE FROM DEFECTS IN MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP FOR ONE YEAR FROM DATE OF SALE TO THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER. QA1 MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. QA1 SHALL HAVE NO OBLIGATION UNDER THE FOREGOING WARRANTY WHERE THE DEFECT IS THE RESULT OF IMPROPER OR ABNORMAL USE, YOUR NEGLIGENCE, VEHICLE ACCIDENT, IMPROPER OR INCORRECT INSTALLATION OR MAINTENANCE, NOR WHEN THE PRODUCT HAS BEEN REPAIRED OR ALTERED IN ANY WAY. QA1’S LIABILITY IN THE CASE OF DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING WARRANTY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, AT QA1’S OPTION, OF THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS.

THE USER UNDERSTANDS AND RECOGNIZES THAT RACING PARTS, SPECIALIZED STREET ROD EQUIPMENT, AND ALL PARTS AND SERVICES SOLD BY QA1 ARE EXPOSED TO MANY AND VARIED CONDITIONS DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY ARE INSTALLED AND USED. QA1 SHALL BEAR NO LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE OR INJURY, EITHER TO A PERSON OR TO PROPERTY, RESULTING FROM THE INSTALLATION, DIRECT OR INDIRECT USE OF ANY QA1 PRODUCTS OR INABILITY BY THE BUYER TO DETERMINE PROPER USE OR APPLICATION OF QA1 PRODUCTS. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY WARRANTY SET FORTH ABOVE, QA1 SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIMS, DEMANDS, INJURIES, DAMAGES, ACTIONS, OR CAUSES OF ACTION WHATSOEVER TO BUYER ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH THE USE OF ANY QA1 PRODUCTS. MOTORSPORTS ARE DANGEROUS; AS SUCH, NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE PRODUCT’S ABILITY TO PROTECT THE USER FROM INJURY OR DEATH. THE USER ASSUMES THAT RISK!

QAl is dedicated to providing quality support and instructions. We employ passionate racers and car enthusiasts that know our products and the industry to better serve you.

CHECK US OUT ON YOUTUBE