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what exactly does a torque rod do

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:48 pm
by DUDELUX
as the title says, 1986 lux, torque rod, what is its job?? i know its a part of the suspension, coming from front diff housing to chassis, ive just done the timing belt, so ive had the front of the engine bay empty, while i was in there, i noticed a crack in the welds around where the bracket where its on the chassis, its probably a bad thing, and im planning on getting it looked at tomorrow.
is it just fixed by welding it up or is it a major job??
the crack is at the top and a smaller crack at the bottom.
solid axle/leaf spring front

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 1:45 pm
by thehanko
it stops your front axle rotating when torque is applied, torque from the shitty steering set up of drive though your tyres in acceleration or braking.

it stops axel wrap.

just get it welded, but maybe look at wether or not its the correct length. improving flex puts more load on them.

2c

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 2:09 pm
by DUDELUX
its the stock one, 2inch body lift an 35s.

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 3:33 pm
by ausyota
Because of the way Toyota set up there Lux steering with a front-back swinging steer box and a J arm, any forward or back movement of the diff will cause the steering to react.
If you have no torque rod and you hit the brakes hard the ute will swerve instead of staying straight. Not really what you want to happen when trying to avoid an accident.

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:13 pm
by Spimon_NH
Cracked torque rod mount on a solid axle hilux isn't uncommon.
Generally comes from the stock rod being too short.
Is there any suspension lift? Even a small suspension lift will overload the stock rod.
I have only 2" extended shackles and my stock torque rod was significantly too short. My adjustable one is about 1" longer than stock.

When you take it out to weld the backet, check to see if the rod goes back in easily without having to rotate the diff at all. If the bolt holes don't line up easily, time for an adjustable rod.

An adjustable torque rod can be had for about $110.

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 6:07 pm
by DUDELUX
where can i get an adjustable torque rod from?? i know bbm and snake do them, where else?? where on the central coast, closer to wyong, ill do some ringing, i know of the edge 4wd(gosford), and rv accessories(wyoming), and 4x4 specialist(charmhaven), anywhere else i should try?? what about suspension places, like pedders or similar

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 7:17 pm
by Spimon_NH
I'd say pretty much any 4WD or suspension shop would have them or be able to get them. I'm not from around the Central Coast so not sure of any local places.
From what I've seen both in shops and online, $110 seems to be the 'normal' price. I paid $110 for a Tough Dog one.

4WD1 (www.4wd1.com) has a Tough Dog one for $110 with free shipping.
Locktup (locktup4x4.com.au) has a different one also for $110 with free shipping.
Superior Engineering (www.superiorengineering.com.au) has one for $95 - this one has a left and right thread so it doesn't need to be removed to be adjusted.
Snake Racing (www.snakeracing.com.au) has one with the twin threads for $130.

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:45 pm
by DUDELUX
yeah ive been searching for a while now, 4wd1 has a rockcrawler one 110, bbm 120, snake 130, locktup 110 but adjustable both ends, couldnt find anything on superior, buds, lukeys sites

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:59 am
by DUDELUX
i just rang superior engineering, 107 posted to me, so thats cheaper than everywhere else ive looked even with postage. and its adjustable both ends, ive heard and read good things about superior engineering on here, so im getting it from them.
thanks to all that posted info.