1BigBird3

Hola FBuds!

Tale of the tape:

Went for a spirited run for about 45min. Then while cruising home feeling victorious I hear this "bump" near my shifter when I accelerate with every shift. Mimics the same habits as a corroded Trans Mount. I baby it home pondering best case scenarios and most likely worst case scenarios. Next morning I jack up the rear and low and behold the TransMount still looks stout although looks can be deceiving. I then look to the Driveshaft to see if it is bottoming out on the rear of the T56 and there is about a 1.5inch of length showing on the yoke.

Then I say okay lets take a look at the MAC Torque Arm...










As you can see more then half of the Polyurethane Bushing that was inbetween the ears has completely disentegrated. The "arm" now has no bushing and completely knocks against the ears freely and mimics the sound I was hearing the night before.

What the hell would cause that? Pinion Angle? Bad Install on the T/A? Too much torque? Anyone familiar with this? Would appreciate any and all input Fbuds! I've always been a little skeptical about the 10+yr old MAC T/A as I know maybe one person in the Fbody community that runs it... Me. Primarily I think because it has so much material yet has no adjustability to it. I have a Global West Tracklink or a stocker I can install if need be, so let me have it!


Thanks in advance!

slowpoke96z28

a number of things can cause that. age (time or mileage), too much radial (up, down, side to side) or axial (front to back)t orque on it, some non-polyurethane safe chemical got on it somehow and accelerated wear, or, the f-body gremlin caught you slipping...

1BigBird3

Hi slowpoke96z28,

I really appreciate your thoughts. Since you took you the time to offer some help I thought I would update.

Popped out the slider from the torque arm and got 2 new bushings. With some minor modifications and grinding and sanding I got it all to work plush. The general consensus is, 10yrs+... don't be surprised to replace anything that's rubber on your beast that takes on load and a beating. I also cut half an inch off the arm itself to allow the slider more travel. I am still a little skeptical on the initial install or the pinion angle as there is no adjustment available on this TA. But for now it's good times until I have time to swap it out with another one. No more clunking and it feels firmer and more solid!


Here is pics of the final product already installed and with 30 or so miles under its' belt.


Thanks Fbuds!!!

Zfbod94

I havent had any experence with the t/a's on the fbodys yet. But when I had my mustang, the grease I used on the poly bushings for the rear control arms rotted them out very quickly. I never though I needed to use a diff grease