Torque Arm on F-body cars

Ricky Clark · 04-05-2009, 06:17 PM

Just wondering if anyone has had this problem. I have broken 2 SW torque arm mounts. The large bracket that bolts to your 12 bolt. The first one I caught before anything happened. The second one broke last night and took the trans with it when the rear end rolled up. Anyone had this happen to them? any suggestions on what went wrong?

Woodro Josey · 04-05-2009, 08:02 PM

Ricky, i am not sure when you got yours but the ones they are building now are Heavy duty compared to the earlier ones they built. I cracked one of the earlier ones several years ago but i have not heard of this since they changed to the heavier ones!

Rich Aman · 04-18-2009, 04:23 PM

we have broken 3 in the past 3 years. The last one was at the Dutch this past fall after only 16 runs (car is 305 stick camaro). We have always been treated very well by S&W when we call after we have had problems, but that was the 3rd strike.
We how have a PeteZ (Z torque arm) setup (ATE) that we will be testing as soon as our engine is done.
Rich Aman 1631 G/S

TOSTO RACING · 04-18-2009, 05:29 PM

I've been 9.70's and 1.31 60' on a Burkhart chassis torque arm with a stick, he makes a very nice piece. As to why yours broke hard to say ,but the bolts on the bracket to the rearend housing seem to want to back out alot I'm constantly checking mine and have broke one like you because of it. That may have not been your problem ,but its very common on these cars. Hope that helps.

Cam · 04-18-2009, 11:27 PM

Ricky:
I thought I was the only one! The torque arm mount was in the roller when I bought it. It looked a little light but I didn't know a thing about these cars and assumed the builder did. My nice new MW driveshaft was MIA along with other bits and pieces. Hopefully the mount I built will sty in one piece.
Cam
Cam

Rob Petrie E395 · 04-19-2009, 12:30 AM

I would have to say that the one pictured here that broke must be one of the older ones. Reason I say that is because I just bought one over the winter and the bracket on the rear looks to be alot heavier meterial than that one. I will say the one you made if that is it on the bottom is a nice looking piece.

Bill Harris · 04-19-2009, 06:19 PM

Might look good but if the bolt threads aren't long enough to engage the nylon in the nylock nuts then your gonna be scattering stuff all over the track. Another 1/4 inch on those bolts is probably worth the investment.

Cam · 04-19-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Harris

Might look good but if the bolt threads aren't long enough to engage the nylon in the nylock nuts then your gonna be scattering stuff all over the track. Another 1/4 inch on those bolts is probably worth the investment.

Good eye, Bill!
This is just a mock up, check out he pinion nut. There is still 4 feet of snow in my yard. I'm not going anywhere soon.
Cam

Rob Petrie E395 · 04-19-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Muenzer

Sorry, I forgot to say that the setup is just mocked up right now and the bolts in the rod ends are just started. But Thanks for advice on the bolts, I'll make sure everything is tightened up and all threads are engaged enough on the final install. I was just concerned that the bracket was the later heavier S+W design.

Just went out and took another look at mine and I would say yes yours looks the same as the one I just bought a couple of month ago so your probably ok.

Bill Harris · 04-19-2009, 08:40 PM

Wow, I didn't notice your location.. not just BC but NORTHERN BC... I'll bet you aren't going anywhere soon... maybe August....!!!!

BTW, I envy you, what a friggin' GORGEOUS area.

04-05-2009, 06:17 PM	#1
Ricky Clark Junior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Shepherdsville, KY Posts: 64 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Torque Arm on F-body cars Just wondering if anyone has had this problem. I have broken 2 SW torque arm mounts. The large bracket that bolts to your 12 bolt. The first one I caught before anything happened. The second one broke last night and took the trans with it when the rear end rolled up. Anyone had this happen to them? any suggestions on what went wrong?

04-05-2009, 08:02 PM	#2
Woodro Josey Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 805 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Torque Arm on F-body cars Ricky, i am not sure when you got yours but the ones they are building now are Heavy duty compared to the earlier ones they built. I cracked one of the earlier ones several years ago but i have not heard of this since they changed to the heavier ones! __________________ Woodro Josey 2002 STK

04-18-2009, 04:23 PM	#3
Rich Aman Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Cedar Run, NJ Posts: 38 Likes: 868 Liked 10 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Torque Arm on F-body cars we have broken 3 in the past 3 years. The last one was at the Dutch this past fall after only 16 runs (car is 305 stick camaro). We have always been treated very well by S&W when we call after we have had problems, but that was the 3rd strike. We how have a PeteZ (Z torque arm) setup (ATE) that we will be testing as soon as our engine is done. Rich Aman 1631 G/S __________________ Rich Aman 1631 STK

04-18-2009, 05:29 PM	#4
TOSTO RACING Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: DRAGSTRIP Posts: 886 Likes: 885 Liked 652 Times in 184 Posts	Re: Torque Arm on F-body cars I've been 9.70's and 1.31 60' on a Burkhart chassis torque arm with a stick, he makes a very nice piece. As to why yours broke hard to say ,but the bolts on the bracket to the rearend housing seem to want to back out alot I'm constantly checking mine and have broke one like you because of it. That may have not been your problem ,but its very common on these cars. Hope that helps. __________________ 5664 GHI/SA 1985 CAMARO RED H/SA 1985 CAMARO BLUE I/SA

04-18-2009, 11:27 PM	#5
Cam Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Prince George, BC, Canada Posts: 83 Likes: 6 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Torque Arm on F-body cars Ricky: I thought I was the only one! The torque arm mount was in the roller when I bought it. It looked a little light but I didn't know a thing about these cars and assumed the builder did. My nice new MW driveshaft was MIA along with other bits and pieces. Hopefully the mount I built will sty in one piece. Cam Cam Last edited by Cam; 04-18-2009 at 11:33 PM.

04-19-2009, 12:30 AM	#6
Rob Petrie E395 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Woodlawn IL Posts: 1,092 Likes: 162 Liked 216 Times in 77 Posts	Re: Torque Arm on F-body cars I would have to say that the one pictured here that broke must be one of the older ones. Reason I say that is because I just bought one over the winter and the bracket on the rear looks to be alot heavier meterial than that one. I will say the one you made if that is it on the bottom is a nice looking piece.

04-19-2009, 06:19 PM	#7
Bill Harris Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ooltewah, TN Posts: 421 Likes: 13 Liked 26 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Torque Arm on F-body cars Might look good but if the bolt threads aren't long enough to engage the nylon in the nylock nuts then your gonna be scattering stuff all over the track. Another 1/4 inch on those bolts is probably worth the investment. __________________ Bill Harris ex 2172 STK ex 2272 S/S

04-19-2009, 08:40 PM	#10
Bill Harris Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ooltewah, TN Posts: 421 Likes: 13 Liked 26 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Torque Arm on F-body cars Wow, I didn't notice your location.. not just BC but NORTHERN BC... I'll bet you aren't going anywhere soon... maybe August....!!!! BTW, I envy you, what a friggin' GORGEOUS area. __________________ Bill Harris ex 2172 STK ex 2272 S/S