Rear trailing arms replacement guide DIY

[Need_for_speed]

Just replaced my rear trailing arms and many thanks to Steve for posting this DIY. It was really helpful. I thought I'd pass along a few observations in addition to Steve's excellent instructions.
After removing my old trailing arms, it was obvious they were shot. I could move the rubber bushings around easily with my fingers -- they were very loose and floppy. The new arms are very stiff -- couldn't move them at all.
FYI, if you're a old little guy like me, it's a lot of fun cranking those front bolts to 118 ft lbs while lying on your back. I kept rechecking my torque wrench thinking I had set it wrong, and also wishing I had a lift instead of jack stands so I could gain some leverage.
In the end, Steve's DIY helped a lot, and it wasn't all that bad of a job. The only problem now is that I've seen all the other suspension components with rubber bushings, and I know they need to be replaced as well.

[Danimal]

I had the classic clattering in the back going over rough ground at low speeds. So I changed the rear trailing arms with the 987 TRW part listed in this thread. It is much cheaper than the corresponding 986 part from TRW.

I did it with the whole car up in the air using lift bars. Had no problem aligning the bolts, just had to push a little on the lower control arm. I used the existing bolts and torqued them to spec (118ft/lbs). I did not use loctite but sort of wished I did. Oh well.

Took it on two test drives and the clatter is gone. Still can’t figure out what was wrong with the olds ones. But glad the commotion is gone 👍

Another great fix from the forums in the books! 📕

[Danimal]

Quick update: these are still working out really well. The car feels tighter than before and I think it reduced some of the vibration I was getting at 75-80mph. And for a Porsche project, it was almost too easy 😆

Originally Posted by Danimal

I had the classic clattering in the back going over rough ground at low speeds. So I changed the rear trailing arms with the 987 TRW part listed in this thread. It is much cheaper than the corresponding 986 part from TRW.

I did it with the whole car up in the air using lift bars. Had no problem aligning the bolts, just had to push a little on the lower control arm. I used the existing bolts and torqued them to spec (118ft/lbs). I did not use loctite but sort of wished I did. Oh well.

Took it on two test drives and the clatter is gone. Still can’t figure out what was wrong with the olds ones. But glad the commotion is gone 👍

Another great fix from the forums in the books! 📕