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After installing the torque arm with the tranny not yet installed but bolted only to the rear end, looking from the rear forward, the torque arm should be straight with no bows or twists? I am seeing a bow on the torque arm bowing towards the drivers side from about halfway up the arm to the bushing end. So, do I need to hunt for one that is straighter or can the bow be taken out? Thanks in advance. We will be mounting the drive shaft soon and I still need a new shifter for the saginaw 4....Peace

I spoke with one mechanic that said the torque arm is supposed to have the bow in it to preload the transmission assembly. Anyone buy this explanation for the bowed torque arm?

74_Vega_GT wrote:I spoke with one mechanic that said the torque arm is supposed to have the bow in it to preload the transmission assembly. Anyone buy this explanation for the bowed torque arm?

I'm going to go with NO on that one. The bar isn't straight but a purposeful bend is just past the rear mount then it should be pretty straight as I recall. I'll try and grab a pic for you later from the rear perspective. Harry

Preload the transmission????? That makes no sense to me. I do not have any bow in mine. The torque arm is to prevent axle wrap. I don't know why it would be bowed.

You're probably overthinking this. It has the front rubber mount to dampen the shock, that would be the only reason why an engineered bend would be implemented. I shortened mine by lapping, gusseting, and rewelding the torque arm. It works flawlessly and I'm not scared in the least.