Magnum chassis rear torque arm

[Brian Buchanan]

Hello: Has anyone ever been able to source the adjustable rear torque arms for a Magnum chassis? Have a broken one and when I inquired about one from Beaver Coach I was quoted $1695.00 FOB Bend, quite honestly I can't afford a $2000 repair right now, I have nothing against a company making a profit but this price is ridiculous. I know they a the ball style bushings but I just can not believe it worth that much. Any ideas or suggestions appreciated.

[Eric Maclean Co-Admin]

Brian
The adjustable lower torque rod can be replaced with a fixed length one with a welded kit .

Brian go to the coach assist library  ( common problems) l where you will find an article I wrote tilted (repair / replace torque rods) out lining the torque rods and replacement kits .

This is a link to the weldable  kits for the rears ( they have a larger bolt hole than the fronts)

https://www.stengelbros.net/345-820-Uni-Rod-Kit_p_11504.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqiUL0Pe-wkysxNWA2-QDqchbthytQSwGlpf1dtEAOxhOG2u6_R


Hope this helps
Eric

[Brian Buchanan]

I had found that kit on the Dayton Parts site, but I could not find the bushing width, have you used this kit? And was the bushing 3.25” wide? Or did you have to add shims?

[Eric Maclean Co-Admin]

Yes I've used one to replace one of my rear lower adjustable torque rods.

Eric

[Eric Maclean Co-Admin]

Brian
Sorry I just reread your last post.
The answer to your question is the new torque rod was the same width as the old one and no shims where required it bolted right in no problem.
It is important that the bolts are tight enough to capture the ball between the mounting plated so they can't move.
The biggest hurdle in the replacement is getting the bolts loose I ended up using a torque multiplier to break them loose .
When I did mine I removed all the torque rods and cleaned them all up replacing the dust boots and installed grease fittings on the remaining originals.
The COMMON PROBLEMS article shows the procedure with pictures.

Eric

[Brian Buchanan]

Thanks for the update, I was concerned about the width, the good news is that I have got the bolts out and should be reinstalling shortly.

[Eric Maclean Co-Admin]

Brian
While your there you want to check the track bar mountings ( these are where the track bar attaches to the frame rail on the passenger side and to the top of the differential)
You will be looking for any cracks in the frame on the outside of the frame where the four bolts hold the track bar to the frame and again at the top of the differential where the track bar brackets are welded to the differential bango housing.
There have been a few coaches have these cracks appear ,it is usually caused by the torque rod spherical ball ends getting seized and creating a torsional twisting moment on the mountings fatiguing and eventually cracking or breaking the mounts out all together.
It is important to check those as you can understand how dangerous it would be to have the coach rear end shifting while at speed in a corner.

On my coach I found several of the dust boots had disintegrated and on the front end and there where two that where seized or near seized causing an growning noise when the coach moved up and down in its suspension travel .
This is why I ended up removing all the torque rods and cleaning/freeing them up installing new dust boots and grease fittings as shown in the COMMON PROBLEMS article I mentioned earlier.

Eric