Is the torque arm necessary????
 

The bolt that closes the torque arm mount around the torque arm (which bolts into the tranny) broke / came out / stripped the hole on my T56.

The two bolts that hold the mount to the tranny are still there, but the bolt that closes the mount around the end of the torque arm is what is missing.

I tried replacing the bolt with one that threaded in, but it just came out a couple days later (because it never really tightened in well.. I assume the threads in the tranny are stripped).

Can I just remove the torque arm? There is a really annoying clunking sound even at low speed and when applying the brakes when this thing isn't held in by that retainer.

Re: Is the torque arm necessary????
 

You cannot remove the torque arm. It keeps the rear end pointed forward, since there are no upper control arms. Helicoil that hole in the transmission and you will be better than new.

Re: Is the torque arm necessary????
 

there are also several aftermarket torque arms that bolt to the crossmember instead of the transmission, and are much stronger than the stock arm to boot.

Re: Is the torque arm necessary????
 

The torque arm keeps the differential from rotating when you apply force (torque) to accelerate the car. IOW, the diff would wind up and break stuff if the torque arm weren't there.

Rich

Re: Is the torque arm necessary????
 

Being that the two bolts popped out, would you say that its stripped or that the first one was just due to whatever hit the torque arm and threw it out of place, and the second was just because the bolt I put in place of it probably wasn't long enough / the right bolt?

Does anyone know what the correct bolt is???

Thanks for all your help so far!

Re: Is the torque arm necessary????
 

When you put the second bolt in if it wouldn't tighten, but felt like it fit in the hole properly, then it is probably stripped. But it could have also vibrated out. I'd try a few more bolts, and if nothing works, then go buy a cheap heli-coil kit and put some new threads in there.