Trailing Arms, and their associated bushings, are one of the most commonly upgraded suspension components on the 5th Gen Camaro. The Trailing Arms work in conjunction with the rear upper and lower control arms and toe rods to stabilize and hold your rear wheels in the proper position while driving. Unfortunately, the OEM trailing arms leave a lot to be desired when subjected to the heavy loads seen in "performance" driving. Unwanted deflection and movement are common issues with the thin stamped steel factory components and soft rubber bushings. This unwanted movement and flexing can lead to inconsistent handling characteristics and loss of traction whether going in a straight line or cornering. This repeated loss of traction is ultimately one of the leading causes of the dreaded wheel hop issues on the 5th Gen Camaro. BMR offers a full line of aftermarket Trailing Arms to correct these issues, stabilize your rear end, and provide the proper suspension geometry needed to transfer all that horse power to the pavement.
The non-adjustable TCA026 is our most popular replacement Trailing Arm. It is constructed of heavy duty 1" x 2" boxed steel tubing to eliminate any torsional flexing of the arm. The outer connection pocket is manufactured from CNC laser cut and CNC formed 3/16" steel plate for the strongest arm possible. Internally-fluted Pro-Version (95 durometer) polyurethane bushings are included on the inner connection point, and a grease zerk fitting is pre-installed for easy lubrication with a grease gun. The TCA026 is the best fit for those looking to improve handling performance, reduce wheel hop, and still keep an acceptable level of NVH suppression and ride quality.
The non-adjustable TCA027 has the same construction of the TCA026, but adds a Teflon-lined spherical bearing which replaces the polyurethane bushings. The spherical bearing provides the low friction articulation necessary for proper suspension geometry, but completely eliminates the high compression load deflection commonly seen with bushings during hard launches. The TCA027 is best-suited to high-horsepower applications where maximum rigidity and performance is the goal. Although the TCA027 is completely "streetable", a small amount of increased NVH should be expected.
The single-adjustable TCA033 is our newest addition to the BMR Trailing Arm line up. It is constructed of 1.25" (.095" wall thickness) DOM tubular steel, with double-overlap welded 3/16" outer mounting plates. A Teflon-lined spherical Rod End is utilized on the inner connection point. Because of the reduced size of the main beam, this is the same trailing arm we use in our 15" Drag Conversion Suspension Kit, and on our own BMR "Project Trilogy" shop car. The TCA033 will provide additional clearance for smaller drag wheels, without compromising strength or functionality. Don't be fooled by it's smaller size, it is more than capable of handling any power level. The TCA033 is not restricted to full-blown drag cars, it is "streetable" and perfectly compatible with the rest of our performance suspension components. But as mentioned before, because of the spherical rod end, a small amount of increased NVH should be expected.
And when you're swapping out your new trailing arms, don't forget to include a set of outer trailing arm bushings. These are the bushings that are pressed into the spindle at the outer connection point of the trailing arm....and are sold separately. It is HIGHLY recommended to replace these bushings any time you replace the trailing arms. Without them, you won't get the full performance benefit of your new arms!!! BMR offers two options for these bushings. The BK006 is a 2-piece design that is made from our Pro-Version 95 durometer compound. We also offer the SuperPro SPF-2866K, which is a little bit softer (80 durometer), but is a 1-piece design, and carry a lifetime warranty.
When lubricating ANY BMR or SuperPro Bushing, make sure you use a high quality FULLY-SYNTHETIC grease. Do NOT use a petroleum-based grease which will soften and deteriorate the performance of your bushings over time. We strongly recommend any of the following.....
http://www.bmrsuspension.com/index.c...&productid=852
http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produc...ode=GPTR2CR-EA
http://www.greengrease.net/
And a NOTE about spherical rod ends and/or bearings. These are NOT totally maintenance-free. Cleaning, lubrication, and frequent inspection are recommended at regularly scheduled intervals (I would suggest at every oil change).
For lubrication and protection of spherical rod ends and bearings, this stuff is the absolute BEST.....
http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produc...?code=AMHSC-EA
Finally, here's a good thread about BMR Toe Rods too....
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=365127