I need installation help on 914rubber's trailing arm reinforcement kit, Can't find instructions anywhere Options

[Nein For Teens]

Hi Everyone.

A year or so back, I bought a trailing arm installation kit from 914 Rubber (formerly offered by Middlemotor, llc). They still offer it: https://914rubber.com/trailing-arm-suspension-gusset-set. The kits (one per side) did not come with any installation instructions. Try as I might, I cannot figure out how the pieces go together, nor can I find any help online. Has anyone installed/welded this these on? I called 914 Rubber, but while they are usually super helpful, they could not offer any insights on this particular product.

Thanks, Chris

[Montreal914]

Hi Chris, These are not for the trailing arms themselves. These plates are tying the inner rear suspension console to the outer one. They need to be shaped (a lot) to properly fit.

Here you can see how I removed mine. There are two per side as there are two "beams" for lack of better description. The braces are bridging the two consoles over the flange joint from the longitudinal two halves.

Here is the longer one:




And the shorter one (the longer one still installed, reverse photo sequence):




I believe the 914Rubber kit is providing the long one in two longitudinal halves.

Hope this helps.

Good luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

[Luke M]

Hi Everyone.

A year or so back, I bought a trailing arm installation kit from 914 Rubber (formerly offered by Middlemotor, llc). They still offer it: https://914rubber.com/trailing-arm-suspension-gusset-set. The kits (one per side) did not come with any installation instructions. Try as I might, I cannot figure out how the pieces go together, nor can I find any help online. Has anyone installed/welded this these on? I called 914 Rubber, but while they are usually super helpful, they could not offer any insights on this particular product.

Thanks, Chris

Hi Chris,

I installed that same kit in my brothers 914. You have to place them up against the mounting area and form them to fit. What I did was figure out which plate went where then tack welded them into place. I used a big hammer and formed them to the chassis, welded them up and ground welds. It's a pain to install them if your on your back. I had my brothers car on a rotisserie which helped. I know that RD now makes a copy of the factory ones which will be way easier to install.

This is the only picture that I have of the kit installed.

[914werke]

Chris,
I know that RD now makes a copy of the factory ones which will be way easier to install.

Almost, they make both sides (R&L) of the short one POST but have been remiss to complete the work on the longer one.
Ive tried to ping Pete on the completion /release of that part but I my efforts had tapered off after more than a yr (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
BTW I tried that kit as well and was unhappy with the amount of work necessary to install them.

[Superhawk996]

[Nein For Teens]

Wow, Guys. All of that helped a LOT. I bought Chris Foley's solution for that challenge. I'll have to find another solution for the trailing arm beefening (I just made that word up:-). Any sage advice on which trialing-arm stiffening kit is the best would be appreciated.

I installed Rebel Racing's Rear Bushing Set into these trailing arms only to discover that the 914 Rubber stainless-steel pivot shafts are not machined uniformly, so I would have needed to install them before I welded in the Rebel Racing shaft. D'oh!

Then I learned that the Shaeffler Rear wheel bearings I bought (from I can't remember where PN 527243CA I'll cross reference the part # later) are slightly larger diameter. It also says on the box "Made in China" I bought another pair of rear wheel bearings from a World member labeled CTEK (part number 412.90000E); also made in China. Anyone know if these are any good?

This project is interestingly fun. Literally one step forward then two or more back.

END OF RANT (little oblique 'Tron' reference there. Sorry. Couldn't help myself. :-)

Thanks for all the help guys.

[Nein For Teens]

Just looked it up. The Shaeffler bearings are for a 911. The CTEK (now Centric) bearings are for a 914 (but they'll also work on my e46 touring; interesting). Just fyi.