Rear Upper trailing arm, Rear ball joint, Rear lower trailing arms

[Norman Silverman]

Has anyone replaced any/all of these parts? If so, where did you buy them? Also, and most importantly, did replacing them change any characteristic of the car, like maybe reduce driveline vibration?

Thanks

Norm

[Dave Fehrle]

Norm, I did a full rear end suspension upgrade this summer. I did replace the bushings and spherical joint on the rear yoke. Also replaced front and back bushings on the rear trailing arms along with the springs and shocks. For the back bushing on the trailing arms along I got a poly bushing with aluminum sleeve from Dan McNarry( chapter member). I highly recommend these as the original type bushings wear out rather quickly and the poly’s help the driveline!  All the other bushings  and spherical joint I bot on Rock Auto or Caddy Daddy. WARNING: when replacing the spherical joint do not use the bolts, washers and nuts that come with it. Go buy matching size grade 8 parts, don’t ask how I know this!

[Chris McBride]

Norm,

I bought the rear ball joint part from Rare Parts Steering and Suspension.  I paid a neighborhood mechanic to install it given its location, the need for grinding et cetera.  I can't say whether or not it affected the ride of the car as I had also replaced most of the other suspension components and I had no driveshaft vibration before or after.  I do know the mechanic did not enjoy the process of replacing the part.  

https://www.rareparts.com/

https://www.rareparts.com/search?make=Cadillac&model=DeVille&am...

The forum does have at least one lengthy discussion about the trailing arms.  

https://6364cadillac.ning.com/forum/topics/rear-trailing-arm-bushin...

There may be more commentary.

hth

Chris

[Norman Silverman]

Thank you , Chris. I have not replaced anything back there yet because I have not really inspected things as closely as I need to-but I suspect the car probably needs something refreshed in the rear suspension.

Also, THANK YOU SO MUCH for the link regarding the discussion. I am absolutely helpless when it comes to finding things on any website. I'm just an analog guy catapulted in to a digital world-and not liking it. 

Norm

[Norman Silverman]

Thank you, Dave!

I'm not even sure I need this stuff, but suspect at least one part of something back there is worn as I sometimes get a "groan" out of the rear on sharp turns. 

Norm