torque arm help
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,687
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From: Fairfax, Virginia
Yeh it doesn't look good for my tranny at all. Im keeping it off the street untill I fix it. I don't know how to explain it, but the only movement is from the driveshaft, and noises from the tranny. I don't know if it is a problem with the torque arm, or a result of the torque arm. Bad torque converter?
Hello,
Well a few things to check, first off the torque arm will not ruin the transmission. The only thing it can do is put a lot of stress on the u-joint if the pinion angle is out of wack.
Since the there is a clunking when shifting at lower speeds and lower RPMs it could be few things, it could be a bad universal joint, bad transmission bushing or pivot point at the front of the torque arm not tight enough. I suggest putting the car on blocks or better yet a hoist for safety reasons. Let the tires hang free, have one person in the vehicle shift through the gears and use the gas while one is under the car. See if you can hear the u-joint clucking. Just be very careful doing this!
Other possible thing can be the transmission bushing. Since your old torque arm bolted to the tranny, removing it to the floor might have taken the stress off the transmission. This might now be letting the transmission move more freely in the bushing, meaning the transmission bushing could be shoot. These bushings don't hold up well at all.
The last thing I would do is since this is a automatic try the pinion angle at 0 to +1 degrees which is the factory setting, the -2 might be to much for it. Also did Jerry explain the things as the rear end to look for and where it could be contacting the body?
If you need any help let me know, after personally owning 5 F-Body's of all years all running this same torque arm I know what ever is causing your issue can be fixed.
Thanks,
Ryan
Well a few things to check, first off the torque arm will not ruin the transmission. The only thing it can do is put a lot of stress on the u-joint if the pinion angle is out of wack.
Since the there is a clunking when shifting at lower speeds and lower RPMs it could be few things, it could be a bad universal joint, bad transmission bushing or pivot point at the front of the torque arm not tight enough. I suggest putting the car on blocks or better yet a hoist for safety reasons. Let the tires hang free, have one person in the vehicle shift through the gears and use the gas while one is under the car. See if you can hear the u-joint clucking. Just be very careful doing this!
Other possible thing can be the transmission bushing. Since your old torque arm bolted to the tranny, removing it to the floor might have taken the stress off the transmission. This might now be letting the transmission move more freely in the bushing, meaning the transmission bushing could be shoot. These bushings don't hold up well at all.
The last thing I would do is since this is a automatic try the pinion angle at 0 to +1 degrees which is the factory setting, the -2 might be to much for it. Also did Jerry explain the things as the rear end to look for and where it could be contacting the body?
If you need any help let me know, after personally owning 5 F-Body's of all years all running this same torque arm I know what ever is causing your issue can be fixed.
Thanks,
Ryan
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, Virginia
Aight. I'll change the pinion angle 1st, then drive it with the wheels hanging. I wouldn't be surprised if the transmission bushings are bad. But before I head in the wrong direction, are you talking about this kind of bushing: Part# ENS-3-1132G on summitracing.com?
I would consider a replacement rubber trans bushing and a poly motor mount. you might get to much vibration out of the poly trans mount. Sounds for the most part your pinion angle is wrong I also would say -2 is for 6 speed only, you should be at 0 to 1 degrees.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, Virginia
It would be nice to find out the pinion angle is my only problem. Simple fix. If that doesn't work, who carries the trans bushing thats not poly. And a motor mount would be the last thing on my mind. Just put some of those bastards in last week for a friend.
You can get a new rubber tranny mount at nappa or other parts supply joints.Stay away from the dealer as they want $70 for the $20 part.That broken tranny mount is
most likely allowing the driveline to move around and the tranny to bang against the body.
most likely allowing the driveline to move around and the tranny to bang against the body.
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Originally Posted by z-ya
You can get a new rubber tranny mount at nappa or other parts supply joints.Stay away from the dealer as they want $70 for the $20 part.That broken tranny mount is
most likely allowing the driveline to move around and the tranny to bang against the body.
most likely allowing the driveline to move around and the tranny to bang against the body.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, Virginia
I'll try the rubber mount then, but I didn't look to see if the other was bad. I switched the pinion angle to +1 and tightened all the bolts again. Maybe helped 5%, but not good yet. I did what you said about driving the car on jacks and looking under the car. I couldn't find out what was making the noises. In fact, you can only hear and especially feel the bang inside the car. Having a loud exhaust above my head didn't help much 
. The pumpkin would pivot under torque, and the torque arm would be still (letting it pivot and the jam nuts). So I have yet to pinpoint the problem.
. The pumpkin would pivot under torque, and the torque arm would be still (letting it pivot and the jam nuts). So I have yet to pinpoint the problem. 
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, Virginia
Actually, sorry guys.. but it's still messed up 
. It felt ok at first. Then I drove it again with the car warmed up good... then came back. It seemed to help out some. Let me re-check the pinion angle tomorrow. The tranny mount changed it a little.
. It felt ok at first. Then I drove it again with the car warmed up good... then came back. It seemed to help out some. Let me re-check the pinion angle tomorrow. The tranny mount changed it a little. Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, Virginia
Still doing it. I have no idea what to do. I found a thread where people are getting the same problems. Except they installed shift kits:https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic-transmission/558120-drivetrain-clunk.html