What's the name of the bar that goes across and connects to the rear suspension

Tiny
BBRISCOE
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU
Too much weight in car. Now wheels are leaning in and the piece I am referring to has a good size dent in it. I need to know what I is called so I can replace it.
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Friday, November 25th, 2011 AT 9:27 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,544 POSTS
Hey Bbriscoe,

This bar I think you are talking about is called a lower control arm. It goes from the center of the car to the outer rear tires. It is probably the sway bar. It does not connect to the tires nut it connects to two linkage sets that sit at either end of the sway bar. These in turn connect to the lower control arms of the suspension, one on each side. The lower control arm is the bar that connects the wheel hub to the frame.

General Description
The rear suspension system on this vehicle is of the independent link type. Rear suspension adjustment is achieved through adjustable toe links and lower control arms. The rear coil springs are retained between the Body and the lower control arm. Rubber insulators isolate the coil spring at both top and bottom. The rear suspension consists of two shock absorbers attached to the Knuckle and the reinforced body areas.

The rear suspension system performs the following functions:
Maintains the relationship of the rear axle to the body.
Controls the torque reaction on acceleration and braking.

The suspension system consists of the following components:
Support Assembly
Coil Springs and Insulators
Stabilizer Shaft, Insulators and Stabilizer Links
Toe Links
Upper Control Arms
Lower Control Arms
Trailing Arms
Knuckles
Wheel Bearing/Hub
Shock Absorbers

See the image below. Please let us know happens so it will help others.
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Sunday, December 4th, 2016 AT 9:58 PM
Tiny
TECLA22
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Hi,

I recently purchased a rear Trailing Arm. According to the Dorman Products company, it is 15.4724" from the center of the bolt to the end of the arm. The problem is that my mechanic says that the Dorman arm is too short! A technician at that company, though, says that both their Trailing Arm and the genuine GM Trailing Arm is 15.4724". He sent images of both GM and Dorman arms to back up his claim. And Rockauto, from whom I purchased the Trailing Arm, claims that they sold this very same Dorman part number to someone else with a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu - and they had no problem with it!

The following, though, is a link to a website that sells "genuine" GM parts. I
wrote to them inquiring what is the correct length for a rear trailing
arm for a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. Their answer was that it is about
18" if measured on the inner and about 19" if measured from outer.

The reply that I got from Dorman regarding this different measurement was that it depends on how they measured it.

http://www.gmpartscenter.net/chevrolet/malibu/22639909/2003-year/ls-trim/3-1l-v6-gas-engine/rear-suspension-cat/rear-suspension-scat/?part_name=trailing-arm

So I'll post this question here, but I think that I'll have to consult with another local mechanic as to whether this ARM is too short or not.

Question: Is there a special technique for the installation of rear trailing arms, such that if you don't follow the correct procedure, the replacement arm will appear to be TOO short???

The VIN Number of the vehicle is: 1G1NE52J63M569483.
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Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 AT 10:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Looking at gm. Partsdirect. Com there are two different trailing arms they also list a 22639751 as well as the 2263909 but no lengths are given on them. If you received a 905-516 that is for the 22639751 and they have no listing for the 909 part number. I'd check with a dealer on this especially since they actually list a couple of these.
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Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 AT 10:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TECLA22
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  • 3 POSTS
I wrote to gmpartsdirectdotcom. It's for the passenger side. The other part number is for the driver's side. The 909 equates to Dorman's 905-517. I'll have to take the vehicle to another mechanic. But as I understand it, the installation of these rear trailing arms is not complicated. According to my original mechanic, one end attaches to the rim/tire structure and the other end attaches to a fixed (non-movable or adjustable) part of the undercarriage. How could a mechanic make a mistake in stating that the trailing arm that you've given him to install is too short?
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Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 AT 10:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
That is easy about being to short it's the wrong part. Like I said in my reply Dorman only lists for the one trailing arm and not others. You can call gm parts direct. Com as well unlessyou emailed them they will respond fairly quickly. They list 4 separate ones anyhow for that part. If you sent your vin it makes things a lot easier. Good luck
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Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 AT 10:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TECLA22
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Rockauto says that that these two links are for my VIN number:

1) Dorman part number - 905-516
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3386142
2) Dorman part number - 905-517
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3388095

The first link states that the alternative part number is GM #22639751, which is the number sold on gmpartsdirect.

The second link states that the alternative part number is GM # 22639909.

Both Arms were too short.

So do I conclude: Don't use Dorman Products in the future?
The trailing arms are stamped: Made In China. I'm guessing that what GM Parts Direct sells are also stamped: Made In China. Or am I mistaken?
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Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 AT 10:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
I can't tell you about the GM parts as so much stuff comes from china ireally don't know what to tell you on this all I know is I went to dorman's site and they had no arm for the 751 number maybe they do now. SEe what GMparts direct says as it may be something entirely different. When I went to the gm site there was a footnote attached which I could not get so I imagine they will say you have to use this or that.
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Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 AT 10:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRYLLYNT1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU
1999 Chevy Malibu All Wheel Drive Automatic

My Alternator suspension belt broke back in the beginning of Jan. Replaced it with another that snapped off about a week ago beginning of Mar. Put a new one on today and it burn in snapped off in a matter of seconds. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong or not doing at all?
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Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 AT 10:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BASSTECH
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One of your pulleys is siezed and not turning. Check all the moveing parts and see if they have melted belt debris on them. Make sure they all spin freely when the belt is off.
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Tuesday, July 30th, 2019 AT 10:36 AM (Merged)

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