Torque Arm Problem?

**Z28_Driver** · 03-20-2011, 02:46 PM

I am getting a squeeking or creeking noise upon acceleration coming from the rear of the car. Louder when I hit it harder. Louder when I go over speed bumps with the rear axle.
Does this sound like the torque arm?

**KMdef9** · 03-20-2011, 04:06 PM

Do you have other mods? SFC bolt ins?

**Z28_Driver** · 03-22-2011, 07:27 AM

Mods are transgo shift kit, SLP lid, Fernco smooth bellows, Catch can, SSRA, BBK LTs and ORY, UMI subrame connectors and a few appearance mods.
I suspected the SFCs at first too. I removed them check for sloting of the holes, no distortion at all.
I did find something else however.
When I raised the rear of the car I could produce the same noise. When I raised and lowered the rear I put the jack under the differential. Dropped it and raised it a few times with the SFCs out and it still made the noise.
Same driving without them installed. Reinstalled and still have the problem.
All bolts in the rear suspension appear to be tight.
Should I just replace the torque arm? Any other suggestions?

**5150** · 03-22-2011, 08:19 AM

If it's squeaks when you jack the rear up and down I would check your lower control arm bushings and the torque arm bushing. They could be wornout or need to be greased up.

***SMWS6TA*** · 03-22-2011, 08:22 AM

TA - keeps the rear axle from rotating when power is applied and helps keep the drive shaft from binding as the rear axle rotates.

LCA - keeps the axle aligned longitudinally, kinda squares it to the frame of the car

PHB - keeps it aligned laterally - side to side

STB & Sway Bars - keep the car's body from rolling

I had the same sound/problem. I think it was because one of my springs was not seated in the pocket correctly after I replaced the shocks and springs.

When's the last time you changed your shocks?

**Z28_Driver** · 03-22-2011, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

TA - keeps the rear axle from rotating when power is applied and helps keep the drive shaft from binding as the rear axle rotates.

LCA - keeps the axle aligned longitudinally, kinda squares it to the frame of the car

PHB - keeps it aligned laterally - side to side

STB & Sway Bars - keep the car's body from rolling

I had the same sound/problem. I think it was because one of my springs was not seated in the pocket correctly after I replaced the shocks and springs.

When's the last time you changed your shocks?

Shocks and springs are original with 75k miles on the car.
It started making the noise after sitting over the winter. I noticed it on the first drive a couple weeks ago.

**Z28_Driver** · 03-22-2011, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by 5150

If it's squeaks when you jack the rear up and down I would check your lower control arm bushings and the torque arm bushing. They could be wornout or need to be greased up.

That might be it. I can check the bushings probably tomorrow.

***SMWS6TA*** · 03-24-2011, 07:09 AM

check the bolt that mounts the TA to the tail cone of the tranny. If that has back off it will make all sorts of noise if the TA mount is loose. I had mine backed off because I thought I had tighten it after installing a new BH. Scared the hell out of me when it happen because I thought I broke the drive shaft.

**Z28_Driver** · 03-26-2011, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

check the bolt that mounts the TA to the tail cone of the tranny. If that has back off it will make all sorts of noise if the TA mount is loose. I had mine backed off because I thought I had tighten it after installing a new BH. Scared the hell out of me when it happen because I thought I broke the drive shaft.

Thanks for the tip. I plan to check all bolts and bushings. I'll post it when I figure out what the problem is.

**az gt eater** · 03-26-2011, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by Z28_Driver

Shocks and springs are original with 75k miles on the car.
It started making the noise after sitting over the winter. I noticed it on the first drive a couple weeks ago.

I would say bushings. I had the same thing, and it had gotten so bad, it would do it when you got in and out of the car. I replaced all the bushings, and shocks, and it is gone. I also cleaned the perches for the shocks, and greased them. I would bet, judging by seeing how little of the factory rubber was left, that it was the bushings alone. And I would suggest that you drill out the body hole for the front bolt of the rear lca to match the inside of the bushing. Otherwise it will slap when you hit a sharp bump. Like a metal rail for the gate to my apartment complex. That's my next project. Go back in and drill that out.

**Z28_Driver** · 03-31-2011, 07:47 AM

A bolt from the control arm had come loose a little. That bolt then bent every so slightly. when putting a wrench on it, it appeared tight because of this. replaced the bolt and the noise is gone.
Thanks to everyone who offered help.