Need name of rear suspension part

I have a 96 Chevrolet Lumina auto and would like to know what is the name of the arm on each side of the rear suspension that run from the wheel area up to the body that can move up and down as the wheel does? This arm (?) runs parallel with the side of the body not from right to left as in an axle seems to keep the rear wheel from moving back or forward relative to the body's wheel well keeps it inline. Mine broke on a pothole and will it be expensive to fix and will I then need a four-wheel alignment?

Reply to
DJW
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Trailing link, probably

Reply to
HLS

Thanks I bet that is it. I broke the left one on a pothole. If I replace it will I need to have to have it aligned and can a rear just be aligned or will all four wheels need to be done. I don't have any unusual tire wear

Reply to
DJW

No need to realign just to replace the trailing link. Somewhere down the road, you should check 4 wheel alignment, but simply changing the link is not the deciding factor.

Reply to
HLS

If you hit a hole hard enough to break a suspension part might I suggest sow down and while you are fixing it take a long look at the rest of the parts.

Reply to
golden oldie

If you hit a hole hard enough to break a suspension part might I suggest sow down and while you are fixing it take a long look at the rest of the parts.

*********** I had one of the bend badly on a Buick Regal, but no other damage was seen. These things are fairly strong from a tension aspect but are not that hard to bend so maybe he is lucky. Replacement of the bent trailing link was all that needed to be done, but your caution to the OP is very good advice.
Reply to
HLS

I did not mension that I am in Wisconsin and there is a lot of salt used and this car is very rusty. That arm is just stamped metal and mostlly failed due to rust. The pot hole was the straw that broke the camels back. But of course I will give the rest a good look and may replace the right side one too

Reply to
DJW

I think that is a wise move. If you have a decent junkyard nearby, you should be able to find one or more of these links to replace yours.

Reply to
HLS

When the roads, bridges, overpasses around get icey, they use sand.A month or two ago, I read an article somewhere on the internet that somebody is experimenting with using beet juice (I think the article said beet juice) for melting ice. cuhulin

Reply to
cuhulin

Could be, cuhulin.. Beet juice contains sugars and other things which dont freeze as easily as pure water. It probably is not extremely efficient, but may be cost effective.

Reply to
HLS

Yes I did here about something mundane to try to melt ice can't remember either what it was. Any way the municipalities around here are so short of salt because of the extreme use this winter they are mixing with sand and not using unless absolutely necessary. The hardware stores also are out of salt. They get it in and sell out within an hour. They still have calcium chloride but that's a bit pricy works to a lower temp but then summer is coming soon? Isn't it???? Take a look at this link:

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Anyway got to a repair shop today and got the trailing arms replaced so bring on the potholes!

Reply to
DJW

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