Broke torque arm- Stock 02 Ws6, street tires, 30 kick WTF
#1
Broke torque arm- Stock 02 Ws6, street tires, 30 kick WTF
It has been raining the past 1-2 weeks and stayed wet and it was finally dry so I figured I would do a quick little 1-2 gear pull.
Dropped it into first at about 30mph and got on it.. Shifted to 2nd normal (raised gas, used clutch) and got back in it.. When I let off I heard a "clunk" from the rear end. Making some awful racket/banging/etc on the way home.
I initially thought it was something in the rear... I crawled under the car today and the torque arm is "tore" in two different places and a line around the driveshaft where metal hit it and shaved some aluminum off.
I have another stock torque arm lying around to replace it with so no money out of pocket now. I will get a cheap used one later or when I need a different one for the pewter car put the BMR TA I have on it on the blue car.
How often does this happen? I know the steel stamped arms are weak... But damn, a bone stock car on street tires from a 30 kick and spinning?
Dropped it into first at about 30mph and got on it.. Shifted to 2nd normal (raised gas, used clutch) and got back in it.. When I let off I heard a "clunk" from the rear end. Making some awful racket/banging/etc on the way home.
I initially thought it was something in the rear... I crawled under the car today and the torque arm is "tore" in two different places and a line around the driveshaft where metal hit it and shaved some aluminum off.
I have another stock torque arm lying around to replace it with so no money out of pocket now. I will get a cheap used one later or when I need a different one for the pewter car put the BMR TA I have on it on the blue car.
How often does this happen? I know the steel stamped arms are weak... But damn, a bone stock car on street tires from a 30 kick and spinning?
#6
Dirty.. stockish car with street tires?
I have pics, will post later. It completely snapped it in two different pieces back near the rear where it mounts.
What all options do i have for bushings? I want the smoothest ride possible, this is a dd car. Got a buddy that has an adjustable umi i might pick up.
Got an energy suspension 3111 on order from advance for tomorrow but if there is a better option for a good ride Im all ears. My stock bushing had a piece torn so I want to replace it.
I have pics, will post later. It completely snapped it in two different pieces back near the rear where it mounts.
What all options do i have for bushings? I want the smoothest ride possible, this is a dd car. Got a buddy that has an adjustable umi i might pick up.
Got an energy suspension 3111 on order from advance for tomorrow but if there is a better option for a good ride Im all ears. My stock bushing had a piece torn so I want to replace it.
#7
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Dirty.. stockish car with street tires?
I have pics, will post later. It completely snapped it in two different pieces back near the rear where it mounts.
What all options do i have for bushings? I want the smoothest ride possible, this is a dd car. Got a buddy that has an adjustable umi i might pick up.
Got an energy suspension 3111 on order from advance for tomorrow but if there is a better option for a good ride Im all ears. My stock bushing had a piece torn so I want to replace it.
I have pics, will post later. It completely snapped it in two different pieces back near the rear where it mounts.
What all options do i have for bushings? I want the smoothest ride possible, this is a dd car. Got a buddy that has an adjustable umi i might pick up.
Got an energy suspension 3111 on order from advance for tomorrow but if there is a better option for a good ride Im all ears. My stock bushing had a piece torn so I want to replace it.
Trending Topics
#9
LS1Tech Premium Sponsor
iTrader: (5)
Sorry you had your issues. The stock torque arm is both sad and funny. GM really did the least it could to get by with it. A torque arm setup is a really nice suspension design for both drag racing and handling but not in factory form, IMO. I would definitely look into replacing it with a relocated tubular arm off your transmission. It is uncommon for them to break by the rear because they usually rip apart the mount by the transmission.
- Kevin
- Kevin
#11
LS1Tech Premium Sponsor
iTrader: (5)
The cons of having your torque arm mounted to your transmission: The torque arm is bolted to the tailshaft of the T-56 and the 4L60E, both transmissions aren't known for their tailshaft strength. This mounting style applies a counter force that is an unnecessary stress on the casing. It's common to crack this casing and that's a $300-400+ repair. There is absolutely no performance benefit to it being mounted to the tailshaft.
The pros of relocating your torque arm off your transmission: You will completely eliminate the risk of braking your tailshaft with your torque arm. I give customers the "400rwhp" rule of thumb. If you're over that number, you really need to begin considering relocating the torque arm before it becomes a problem. This becomes more important when you use a stronger, tubular torque arm. The saving grace of the factory arm is that it's flimsy and the mount is a piece of garbage. So you'll usually bend the factory arm or tear apart the mount before anything happens to the tailshaft...but the latter still happens often. Having a stronger tubular arm puts your tailshaft at a greater risk. I always suggest it be mounted off the trans.
The cons of relocating your torque arm off your transmission: There will be a muffled thud underneath the car from the TA functioning. You've eliminated the 3 points of isolation and condensed it down to one polyurethane bushing...so it will make a little noise. Is it loud? To me, it's not. I honestly think that fixing a suspension issue is more important than a muffled thud under the car. Most customers are cool with it, seldom they will mention/complain about it.
So it's up to you to weigh the options. If you can live with the pros/cons of either option, that should be your choice.
Hope this helps you out,
Kevin
#13
With that said Kevin, I will be sticking in the stock location.. Thanks for the in depth detail though.
Something was up with this torque arm from the get go.. I put another stock torque arm with a poly bushing on it and the car feels 100Xs better. I don't think it is just in my head either.
PICS:
Something was up with this torque arm from the get go.. I put another stock torque arm with a poly bushing on it and the car feels 100Xs better. I don't think it is just in my head either.
PICS: