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SolaraGuy.com • View topic - Torque Rod Installation
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Torque Rod Installation

Torque Rod Installation

Postby JoeB » Sat Apr 02, 2005 5:22 pm

PIC#1 is the torque rod available from Jim @ Foreign affairs. Jim sends the torque rod pre-assembled which I thought to be very helpful. PIC#2 is the transmission shock that we will be replacing. If you don't have this in your car, you might want to ask yourself why you are doing this. :wink: I used the following tools; 3/8 socket wrench, 6” 3/8 extension, 14mm socket, deep 14mm socket, 17mm socket, deep 17mm socket, 14mm ratcheting combination wrench, 17mm ratcheting combination wrench and a 17mm opened end wrench. I took about 30 minutes to do this and was really taking my time. Very easy job and even easier if you have small arms and hands :( . Let’s get started…

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Removal:
Since I was the guinea pig and had no instructions, I figured I’d throw caution to the wind. I didn’t know it the transmission needed to be supported or not so I just removed the shock without supporting it to see. When I started removing the bottom bolt, I noticed there was no pressure on it at all so it didn’t need to be supported, too easy! Refer to PIC#2, in the first step, we’ll be working with point “C”. There are 2 nuts on top there together. To get the top nut off, you’ll need to put a 14mm opened end wrench (or ratcheting combination wrench) on the lower nut to hold it still, then take the top nut off using a 14mm socket wrench with a 6” extension. After you get the top nut off use the deep 14mm socket to remove the net beneath it still at point “C”. After those 2 nuts are removed, pull the hardware off the top including the rubber bushing. Next, we’ll remove the bolt that is holding the shock in. The nut at point “A” is welded on. Here’s where the small arms and hands come in. You need to get a 14mm wrench on the bolt at point “B” and take it off. All I had to do was brake it loose (which wasn’t difficult thankfully) then I took it out by hand. Keep that bolt, we’ll reuse it to hold the torque rod in place. With the bolt out, the shock will pull right out.

Assembly:
To start with, take the hardware off the torque rod at point “A” in PIC#1. Then spin the nuts down towards point “C” a little to get it out of the way. Now slip the torque rod with point “A” coming up through the top hole where you removed the shock leaving the rod end (heim joint) at the bottom. Get that bolt you removed and kept for this step and insert it in the same direction it was in with the shock, going through the hole in the rod end and tighten it down with a 14mm wrench. Next, push the urethane grommet up against the metal bracket and screw the top nut up firmly to the bottom of that grommet. Then spin the other nut up to it and tighten the 2 together. Those nuts are 17mm. Next, put the hardware from point “A” that you took off earlier back on the way it came off. If you forgot, refer to the pic. Tighten the bottom nut snuggly, no need to torque it. Then tighten the top nut down to the bottom nut. It should now look like PIC#3.

Image

I really don't think you'll have any trouble but if you do, post and I'll try to help. -JoeB

*EDIT* I originally said "ignition wrench", it's actually a ratcheting combination wrench I uesd, open on one side, closed on the other side and ratchets. It was perfect for that bottom bolt!
Last edited by JoeB on Mon Apr 04, 2005 12:22 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Postby Paladin06Greg » Sat Apr 02, 2005 5:52 pm

I'm sure everyone will find this very helpful.

Thx
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Postby gman » Sat Apr 02, 2005 7:01 pm

Thanks Joe- looks like you need to clean that engine...I see a little dust.
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Re: Torque Rod Installation

Postby that1mexguy » Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:09 am

Hey man, GREAT tutorial, I'm definitely getting this, someone should make this a sticky for a couple of months. The only thing that kind of bugs me is, why wouldn't all Solaras have this?
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Postby SleeperSolara » Mon Apr 04, 2005 7:36 am

Nice tutorial.
But wouldn't the threadin' between the the "B" and "C" points break??
Does this torque rod help??
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Torque Rod Install

Postby PDX SuperSolara » Mon Apr 04, 2005 8:19 am

Excellent job Joe! I should just refer people to your tutorial for install directions. As for the question about the rod breaking, it is made of stainless and is literally strong enough to support your entire car let alone break due to engine torque! I have had this setup on the SuperSolara for a few months with no problems at all. The Torque rod will be sent assembled so you can see how it goes together, however not all the nuts have been fully torqued down to allow for adjustment during installation. The only nut that should be torqued initially is the one at the bottom ball joint (Heim joint). The reason there is no pressure on the shock mounting points is because the shock absorber is not for support of the motor, it simply slows down the movement of the engine. It provides no support. It is very easy to install, just be sure of two things: 1) Be sure the header is cool before you burn yourself! 2) There should be no tension on the assembly in its resting position. If there is, you may get a tiny bit of vibration, so the rod is adjustable for a perfect fit.
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Postby Astro » Mon Apr 04, 2005 10:04 am

I can't wait to test it out, when I get it. :D
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Postby SC V6 » Mon Apr 04, 2005 10:26 am

me 2
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Mini install tip...

Postby CASTRO » Fri Apr 08, 2005 6:30 am

I want to add to this that for guys with huge hands (Me) it might be a good idea to take out the right fan to have more area to work in. It only takes (2) 10mm bolts from the top and another (2) dicsonnected wires to take it off. The fan is very light and easy to install/remove. It saved me a lot of pain and trouble. Hope that halps anyone.
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Re: Mini install tip...

Postby JoeB » Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:05 am

CASTRO wrote:I want to add to this that for guys with huge hands (Me) it might be a good idea to take out the right fan to have more area to work in. It only takes (2) 10mm bolts from the top and another (2) dicsonnected wires to take it off. The fan is very light and easy to install/remove. It saved me a lot of pain and trouble. Hope that halps anyone.

That's a good idea! I wish I'd have thought of that. Instead I growled and fussed while using a ratcheting closed end wrench moving it back and forth about 15* to loosen/tighten that bolt at the bottom... :x
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Postby Astro » Wed Apr 13, 2005 11:33 am

I took off the fan and it took about 10 minutes!
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Postby StockSolara » Wed Apr 13, 2005 6:54 pm

Thanks JoeB for your instruction and picture. Thanks Castro for your taking off the fan idea. It was such a breeze with this installation. I have noticed that the motor doesn't move as much with the torque rod.
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Postby Fletch » Wed Apr 20, 2005 4:29 am

Getting some movement of the ball joint on the lower bolt. Thinking of fabbing up some spacers to go on each side of the ball joint on the bolt.

Must have too much tension in it or something since nobody else has had a problem.
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Postby michaels artic frost » Wed Apr 20, 2005 4:50 am

Great job on the tutorial bro. I'm sure many will find this very useful.

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Postby SleeperSolara » Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:20 am

Looks good.
Where can i get one??
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