How To Install a Maximum Motorsports Torque Arm For Better Traction!

[@landdon24]

You know what I love the most about your videos? You're not afraid to show your mistakes. This makes me feel more confident.

[@michaelhousman9604]

Eric, the KZbin algorithm finally brought me a great channel to watch and I have to say that I'm really enjoying the Fairmont build. I built my first 302 for my 85 Mustang to replace the 2.3L and it's funny to look back on how I did my first foxbody project 30 years ago and cringe! Thanks again for the quality content, you do a great job of explaining and showing all the different steps. Best wishes to you and I hope you're well!

[@eyadfawaz3194]

Hi Eric, you are a good teacher and mechanic . Your videos always worth watching, so please keep up the great work here, with my best wishes.

[@tilleytristan]

When applying force on your wrench try to appose the upward force of your jack stand by pulling directly downward. The way you had the jack placed, combined with the direction you were applying force, was causing flex in the torque arm and twisting the bolt. Very humble of you not to blame the part. Love your videos.

[@tolisdrums]

Eric, as I have stated before I admire your patience, it seems colossal with this huge and difficult project you are up to. I also get actually worried about the size of the expense you are in and all these leftover parts...I really hope the Fairmont ends up well and working as it should to be a great satisfaction to you and the viewers...If i were you, Iwould have run out of courage WAAAAAAAAY early into it!

[@ericthecarguy]

One job at a time. Thanks for the comment.

[@TheDooMCereal]

I found your Chanel while looking up tutorials for changing brake calipers. Have been binge watching for the past week, love the channel

[@ericthecarguy]

Thanks!

[@throttlebottle5906]

seemed maybe over-torquing/wrench not working? but there was also a ton of angular force on it, which will shear off bolts the hardness and step would likely make it easier to shear yet. solution? put a stand under the socket to hold it up and keep wrench 90 from it, pull straight down to torque :)

[@vt2704]

I am so thankful for the channels I choose to subscribe to and the people who are the creators. Eric sir, I am at a loss of word's with this install,choice of part, and such an amazing discovery. If you are at least the lowest intelligent at being a mechanically inclined person, you can see the enormous amount of silliness you can get with this kit in your vehicle, providing you have a good amount of power pumping out your engine, you can't contest this is one of the best new kits I've seen for a solid rear axle without even driving before and after the install. The amount of additional power you can add with this setup stand alone you don't have to have a Ford 9" to feel safe. I love it so much on site that I don't even want to know the price of it for a while because I am busy with finishing other mods right now. I am so glad I did not start to get crazy with my rear setup yet.

[@ericthecarguy]

Yes, the rear suspension is very important to any build. Thanks for your comment and good luck with your build.

[@brandon2076]

This might sound weird coming from me seeing as i'm just a hobbyist mechanic, and i don't know if you'll see this anyway, but i felt very proud of you when i saw those welds, and how far you've come from earlier videos. The bead placement might have been off, but the bead quality, penetration, and the sound of the welder are leaps and bounds better. You wouldn't think so, but having a worklight pointed at the welding location will help you see better through your helmet before you start the arc. You were welding under vehicle, very dark there....hard to see in general, and even harder with a tinted helmet on! Adjusting the helmet so you can see the pool of liquid metal forming as you're welding, while still at a safe level is key. Also, practice on scrap! Muscle memory is very important too, so you can weld a straight line and follow shapes even without seeing them. You may have heard this already from other places, as it's been 3 years since this video, but i thought i'd share anyway. You're doing it right Eric! ;)

[@JimGriffOne]

The way the bolt snapped may have been due to incorrect tempering of the hardened bolt. It might not have been tempered the full way due to less heat getting to that bolt in the tempering oven. It can happen to any bolt bought by any company for use in their products. Even if the bolts have a straw colour to their exterior, this doesn't indicate that full tempering has occurred throughout the interior of the bolt.

[@davidsewell3477]

when you drop stuff it cracks me up . it happens a lot with me too. ha ha. keep up the good work Eric

[@ericthecarguy]

It seems I can't get through a video these days without dropping something. #StayButterFingers

[@computiNATEor]

My favorite candy!

[@noselord]

Somebody's got to test to see if gravity is still working

[@n20cpri]

That was cool! I blurted out HOLT SH!T when that bolt broke! That was crazy. The wife came down asking if I was ok! lol. Good stuff as always!

[@scottmoore8080]

sometimes I think you forget we do not have all the tools you have and have to improvise. If you can keep that in mind- it is the creative part of the show that is interesting too.

[@331SVTCobra]

Maximum Motorsports rules. My TA/PB has been serving well for a decade on my daily driver. heads up: you will need firmer springs when going from 4 link to TA/PB.

[@robertherrera419]

Good video. When I saw the bolt break when you were torquing it down I was like "Oh. That sucks." I would have been furious too with a few choice expletives for more than a few moments. Good show of restraint and persistence, man. Keep it up. =)

[@davidsewell3477]

it looks fantastic now underneath . what a sleeper . loving it . it really is nice .

[@rztrzt]

It's 19:30 on a Friday evening, by this time I'm usually already at the pub sipping on my first beer but no here I'm sitting at home watching another EricTheCarGuy video. Thank's for the great videos Eric! PS one of the barmen at my pub is also called Eric, another great guy.

[@ericthecarguy]

Well, sorry to keep you. Have one for me after you finish the video. Thanks for the comment.

[@buckykattnj]

I, too, have a real hard time seeing things before the arc starts, so I use a 300W halogen light right near the work area and its just bright enough through my mask to see what I'm doing before I start the arc.

[@TheOnGridHomestead1]

I haven't seen my 1975 Ford Granada for the past 15 years or so because it sits under a car cover, but as I recall, it looks as good now as the day it rolled off of the assembly line. Just saying.... Keep going with the Fairmont project. That's it.

[@lilmanjeeps]

Damn, this is getting cool. Thanks for showing every step! Never been more interested in a channel!

[@pjcustoms8508]

I'm ready to see the Panhard install. Need this for my major suspension overhaul that I'm doing. Nice video and excellent work Eric

[@ericthecarguy]

Next week. Finishing up the edits this weekend.

[@richardquinones2959]

Eric the Fairmount project is coming out sick can't wait to get out on a test drive👍

[@Harrythepot]

your welding is getting better Eric!! well done and good job on the new rear end so far 👍👍

[@ericthecarguy]

Thanks.

[@mchristr]

Nicely done Eric. I like to trial fit with plain hex nuts and save the Nylocs for final assembly. Really appreciate your content.

[@larrybeagen5585]

Awesome video like always! I am getting ready to install a torque arm on my mustang and your video made me feel a lot more comfortable with the installation process. Thank you!

[@lemac6657]

I really enjoy your videos, great personality and very detailed. I too love how I will drop at least one thing to the floor before the day ends feels great.

[@AttilaTheHun333333]

5:47 ...damn, the whole car is in that trunk. 😉

[@ericramming]

uncomfortable torquing, broken bolts and magic nuts all in one video! thumbs up!

[@silent_insanity3631]

Getting so siked for building my own projects 10 years from now when I hopefully have the money lol awesome videos! love the fairmont.

[@steihlvoice]

Such good quality video

[@ericthecarguy]

Thanks!

[@michaelblacktree]

I remember watching the previous suspension install and thinking "No, don't do a 4-link!" You'll be glad you replaced that with the torque rod and track bar setup.

[@fredflintstone8048]

Part of the problem with the bolt snapping off may have also been that the way you were tightening the bolt was twisting the assembly putting a degree of side load tension to bend the bolt which it didn't take well at that kind of torque.

[@sirnik84]

TGIF! Friday morning = ETCG & Coffee!

[@dustinjohnson2915]

Eric, tremec does have a driveshaft angle finder app on the smart phone.

[@jasonelizanigel9381]

This video goes well with my hangover. Thanks Eric!

[@ericthecarguy]

You're welcome.

[@MrCarhead]

Im a mechanic myself in the uk 24 years in the trade myself I have to say it I love this guy he knows is stuff.

[@MrCarhead]

that's deep not sure what eric would make of that lol

[@thebudman67]

Welding by braille is an acquired skill that takes years to master.... I still fumble with it at times.... but when i was welding as a job I did fall asleep welding and woke up when my hand got hot...

[@Trials-and-Tribulations]

You could place a piece of masking tape labeled weld to areas, as a reminder that you can go back to at later day and weld etc etc

[@Chrisw678]

Thank you for such a great high quality video. Obviously that's what you always do but this one seems to of set a new bar.

[@ericthecarguy]

Thanks!

[@Panhead49EL]

Radar went off at 17:18 when that first bolt didn't want to thread in nice and easy. First thought was to chase the internal thread, but maybe it was the bolt. Or maybe the first bolt became the thread chaser for the hole.

[@saulns7159]

Great video as always. A lot of time has passed, we need to hear this beast fire up or peel out or something.

[@j1mmyZeta]

My dampers (Bilstein) also had the same instructions not to use an impact tool. Very difficult on my car to tighten the top nut without using one though - I gave in to temptation.

[@commodore665]

Hate to say it , but I could see that the bolt was going to snap , same thing happened to me a few years ago installing high ratio rocker arms on my car snapped the bolt while torquing it down , it's still annoying when it happens though good video all the same

[@katanamd]

Make sure when you brake and the suspension relaxes more than at stationary the driveshaft doesn't contact the torque arm brace. Especially after you lower the engine and trans.

[@ericthecarguy]

It's only the engine that gets lowered 1/2". The transmount will remain the same. Also, I've already done it and the clearance is fin. The driveshaft only gets close at full drop. At ride height there's plenty of room. Thanks for your comments .

[@tsw199756]

Couldn't you have measured to the old trans mount bracket to square it up? I'm assuming Ford would have had that on the body square?

[@tom7601]

A guy I worked called using the drill to enlarge a hole, "Wallering." "Hey, Tom, can y'all waller out that hole a little?"

[@thehappybuilder7034]

im not really a ford guy, but im really enjoying this build. If your not covered in metal bits, your not fabricating :) im an auto machinist, so i know the struggle haha....my favorite tool in my shop is my "eye magnet" its a pen with a magnetic tip that is used to get metal shards out of your eyes haha

[@aaronallen6503]

if trans measures 5 degrees you match it on the rear end. that way the driveline angle cancel each other out. if it was a double cardon shaft then you can have the rear end pointed stright with the driveline.

[@AttilaTheHun333333]

Why is the mount for the bushing not exactly in the middle of that frame? In reference to the drive shaft, it's off a bit to the left side of the vehicle. What's the reason for that?

[@ericthecarguy]

That's how the driveline angle is set up. It's offset so that the ring gear is actually in the center of the housing. This means the pinion is slightly off to one side.

[@AttilaTheHun333333]

EricTheCarGuy Wow, can't believe that tiny offset makes a difference. Thanks for the explanation!

[@rollux85]

G'day from Australia and another great video, Eric - the Fairmont is really coming along! What is the significance of the special concave and convex washers? Why not just two flat washers?

[@ericthecarguy]

I wondered that myself. The only thing I can think of is that they can help keep things centered with lots of vibrations.

[@SteveRobReviews]

Well done Eric. 👍👍

[@TheTurpin1234]

I bet if you dragged out the air hose those top mount bolts would come right off ;) Great video, love the Fairmont builds.

[@ryanmg92]

you should invest in some transfer punches for marking holes

[@TheSirReginold]

I know this is a bit late, but wouldn't the bend in the frame connectors cause the angle to be off a little? They have a slight bend in them, so when the car is on the lift wouldn't it be slightly angled?

[@NebukedNezzer]

with the engine in its final possition Is there clearance for the driveshaft when the shocks are at maximum extension?

[@ericthecarguy]

Yes.

[@TomB1988]

That is a ludicrously high torque figure. Why on earth ar they suggesting it!!??

[@jakesnake_27]

Tom Bryant That's what I thought. 220 is outrageous!

[@ryanmg92]

jakethesnakemo I wondered if it's either an insufficiently rated bolt or if the torque setting should have been 220 nm not ft lb

[@misterdeedeedee]

220nm is about 162 ftlbs which sounds a lot more reasonable. however since eric called the company im guessing they would have said something if this was incorrect, but who knows.

[@bobthebuilder372]

I agree, I bet there was a miscommunication between a metric guy and an imperial guy who writes everything in lb-ft. It's hard to imagine why the threads would need over 160lb-ft.

[@User78347]

The eccentricity due to long bolt plus socket didn't help things either. Torque combined with the bending moment and snap!

[@wheelerdealer7098]

what's the odds of the fairmont ripping itself apart after he gives it the beans for the first time

[@zachmiller9175]

wheeler dealer with the frame connectors? unlikely.

[@Mechanickirk]

So if you're dropping the engine and trans 2" your drive shaft will rub the torque arm cross member at full travel since its about to rub now. You should've done the engine trans first. Also you can use fishing line and washers to align the drive line front to back or to verify it. Best of luck!!

[@paul9813]

Nice video, after you drop the engine and trans 2", i would take a peek at your driveshaft clearance at full droop. Have a feeling that it's gonna get worse. Keep up the good work!

[@ericthecarguy]

I'm not dropping anything 2". I dropped the engine 1/2", not the trans. I've already done it and the clearance is fine. Keep in mind what you're looking at in the video is at full drop. At ride height there's plenty of clearance. Thanks for the comment.

[@paul9813]

39:57, must have misspoken, it did seem like a lot when you said it. Glad it all worked out

[@Chromov113]

Hi Eric, did you consider to install this cross membet upside down? I gues this would give you a safe driveshaft clearance, but I don't know about the ground clearance.

[@ericthecarguy]

Driveshaft clearance is OK. Remember, it can't really go anywhere with the torque arm in place.

[@Chromov113]

R-r-right, I didn't think about it.

[@steveskouson9620]

Eric, regarding seeing while you're welding. Two suggestions, and they're free. That oval shaped HF 30 LED flashlight, or, the light switch shaped HF light. Wait for coupons, and get them for free. I LOVE Harbor Fright. Especially, their 6 piece screwdrivers. Haven't bought a set yet, but they're MUCH better than Craftsman, Made in the USA stuff. Haven't bent one, without first heating it up first. Can't say that about Craftsman. I've got a flathead, with a torsional twist in it. Paid money for that one. Since tomorrow is Mother's day, 25% off coupon, and a LOAD of free stuff to choose from. steve

[@davidsewell3477]

still loving your fairmont Eric here in sunny England . I think I've watched all your videos now. thinking of being a premium member . can I join from England?

[@ericthecarguy]

Thanks, I really appreciate that. I'm glad you enjoy the videos. You can absolutely join. In fact, there's more than 200 videos to watch if you decide to sign up. www.ericthecarguy.com/premium-content-streaming-etcg-content

[@AttilaTheHun333333]

David Sewell Ahh, sunny England...what a rare occasion. 😂

[@n3zyd]

It seemed to me that the threads in the torque arm were a little messed up when you put the first bolt in. did the second bolt go in better?

[@Panhead49EL]

Did you measure how level the car was on the lift? No big deal if the lift itself is off a little for general repair work, but would be important when you're making measurements down to the single degree. Just a thought. I really enjoy your work.

[@Ostap1974]

Hard to evaluate based just on the video but would't the driveshaft be hitting the torque arm for sure when you will lower the engine and gearbox?

[@ericthecarguy]

The transmission is not being lowered, just the engine. I've already done it and it fits fine. Thanks for the comment.

[@dandel351]

I thought that the drive shaft was a little close for comfort as well , but since Eric says the car is on the road now with no issues it must be a camera angle thing that makes the shaft look too close to the torque arm cross member. I wanna see how the exhaust fits around it all though.

[@kipster-ll6po]

I know I am pretty ignorant (and I mean that sincerely), but how is that possible? I thought that the transmission attaches directly to the engine.

[@ericthecarguy]

It does, but it has a different mount than the engine. The engine uses 2 mounts on either side, the transmission has one mount under the tail shaft. If I lower the engine, the transmission mount stays in the same place unless I lower that one as well. I did not, therefore the transmission is in the same relative location.

[@teardowndan5364]

In other words, the transmission+engine have three total mounts and only the front two get lowered. I can see how that might not necessarily change the height of the drive-side of the shaft by much (it may even raise instead of lower it), but it should change the angle by a few degrees.

[@NebukedNezzer]

when you drop the engine down(in front?) will you get more or less drive shaft clearance? once the engine is in place and the torque arm is in place it would be a great time to parallel the Ujoint flanges front and rear(more or less shim washers on the differential). Have lots of fun and patience with all this and it will make you happy later. One more thing. now that you have a proper torque arm you should not have a failure of the car body with all the newly found torque. Good design.

[@jakeg83]

Great video Eric!

[@brittharms978]

Bad ass install Eric!!!!!

[@cardude59]

eric my friend-------- that is why you do not use the ny-lock nuts provided to fasten the top of the shocks.

[@ericthecarguy]

That's not what they came with. They came with the double nuts you see in the video.

[@vicsmark007]

Good morning. I hope you see this, and can answer this for me. is the installation of the T/A dependent on wheelbase length? or can a T/A be installed on any foxbody platform car? is there any instance where a T/A would be too short to install?

[@SteveM000100]

Great video as always Eric, really enjoying the series! - just one thing tho, American Turkeys come with pre fitted indicators to tell you when they're cooked ?!?!???

[@ericthecarguy]

Yep. peasandcrayons.com/2014/11/oven-roasted-turkey-pop-timer-talk.html

[@SteveM000100]

Mind well and truly blown!

[@futten3230]

ugh i felt the pain when the bolt snapped those are some bad ass parts but they look pretty heavy too

[@jayyoutube8790]

Can't wait to see this machine go down the road... Sure your as excited as I.. Lol good job

[@jmbstudio6873]

Excellent! I fabbed my own TA and PH bar from the MM pdf. Restoring a 92 LX. Added sheet metal to give it a Nascar look. Fun! Git R dun bud! Looks awesome! Pinion angle should match the harmonic balancer angle and suspension should be under full load? Front tires on stands and jackstands under the axle housing. Mine came out to 3 degrees......no shims cuz I built it to fit. ;o)

[@wlt16]

Ugh Fairmont Project... But Props on your Video Quality! Your The Man.

[@rickb6694]

"OOOO a centering cone" lol it's the little things car guys appreciate. Also what's the ground clearance with that torque arm on? Looks like it hangs down quite a bit

[@79Jasper042610]

From where you've measured the ride hide, won't it actually be slightly lower with a tank of fuel? Might not be much, but something to account for.

[@ericthecarguy]

Yes, it will also be lower with me in the vehicle. Therefore I'm not doing my final measurements until after I've finished the car and put ballast in the car for my weight and the weight of the fuel. Thanks for the comment.

[@theq4602]

What would be some good suspension updates for a 9th generation ford pickup?

[@guyva_unito_sree3]

thats a nice torq wrench. and everythings looking cool

[@thenewnormal8853]

Try doing small U's or half circles when welding to control your puddle

[@ericthecarguy]

I get it, but my main issue with welding is I simply can't see what I'm doing.

[@thenewnormal8853]

EricTheCarGuy Yeah, That is a problem... Welding overhead is never easy especially when you can't see. Keep up the good work the project is coming along nicely.

[@bucksmkr12ga]

try lightening the shade of your helmet one shade and or use a spotlight on a stand and aim it at your work. I have same problem

[@EKHondaMotive]

I've been following the build but had to come back and watch the suspension bits... I'm curious if you have an idea how much weight the rear mods have added to this freight train? -100

[@GALAXIE67]

With a setup like this, l would guess that you don't need a drive shaft safety loop? Or would you? Awesome video/review! 👍☯️👍 My bad l wrote this while watching the video 🙂

[@TempGuest7]

Happy Easter everyone.

[@ReinForceOne]

hmm if you drop the engine + trans wouldn't the driveshaft connect with the torque-arm-mount when the suspension is all the way down?

[@ericthecarguy]

I'm only dropping the engine a 1/2". I've already done it and the clearance is fine. Thanks for the comment.

[@nicke2307]

hey Eric have you thought of using a watts linkage instead of a Panhard bar? then the diff won't have a slight arc

[@ericthecarguy]

My response to that will be at the beginning of the panhard bar installation video.

[@ericthecarguy]

Also the expense and I'd have to change out my pretty new differential cover.

[@randellgribben9772]

question.. this is made for the mustang.. the mustang is shorter... the pivot point of the tourqe arm on a mustang would be near or next the the end of the transmission..U joint.. yes? and fairmount has a longer wheelbase, so the pivot point is father away from the front U joint.. now you have 2 different Pivot points . where the rear axle / driveshaft moves on, one next to the end of the transmission, and one further down the driveshaft.. this seams to be a problem...

[@koncuzion9511]

if your struggling to see when welding then you need to first try and get yourself into a comfortable position where you can see clearly the whole run. Number one rule to welding is get comfortable and make sure you can see. Nice work btw

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Question... is it true on the foxbody mustang, using this setup will allow me to eliminate the torque boxes

[@TheOnlyToblin]

How much extra weight have you added with all the new stuff on the car? It's gotta be a fair amount.

[@stevec5657]

Hey Eric! I was curious if prior to putting the Fairmont up on your lift if you took a baseline angle measurement say off the sub frame connectors, then verify that same angle once you lifted it? Cuz your angle checks are under the assumption the car is at the same angle as if it was on the ground. If I'm not mistaken, the drive line degree measurements are all relative to this. We ran into this issue while fabbing a custom 4-link. Great videos (as usual) - Thanks!

[@ericthecarguy]

Excellent point. My lift, strangely enough, is level. I hadn't considered checking the frame connectors though. Thanks for the comment.

[@dave1135]

Eric, you were already close to the front bracket with the driveshaft when the suspension was all the way down, if you lower the transmission and engine 2 inches, won't the driveshaft contact the mount then? especially if when driving, the rear wheels leave the ground? you might need a smaller diameter driveshaft.

[@ericthecarguy]

I'm not lowering anything 2". I just lowered the engine 1/2", the transmission stayed the same. I've already fitted it and the clearance is fine. Thanks for the comment.

[@PorscheRacer14]

I feel like Finnegan has been showing you alternate uses for lube...

[@jamesstarter359]

yea Eric im not an expert but that driveshaft seemed very close .. ? under high tension and torque on the frame and everything wouldn't you have to worry about that coming into contact a bit ? annnd making a pretty nasty noise and probably vibration ... just askin a question not trying to be a youtube smart ass lol im just curious .. and i am talking about the cross brace for receiver tube coming into contact with driveshaft to be specific. ???

[@kcampbell4098]

would a 4 wheel thrust alignment be required when its all done??

[@SpeedrunTnRC]

Is it ok to raise the car on the rear diff in a fox body or should I use something between the jack like wood? I’m new but I’m doing practically everything you did over time thank you!

[@amunderdog]

So it is a modernization of a torq tube? How many pounds did this kit add to the vehicle? The four link it had was fine in my opinion. I would have just updated the links to adjustable better than the stamped parts. But it is good to watch you going at this kit; It makes my brain feel all funny. Thanks and keep up the good work.

[@ericthecarguy]

Not really. The upper rear control arm mounts are different between a Mustang and a Fairmont. My rear axle is out of a Mustang. I had to turn the upper differential bushing mounts around just to attach the upper control arms. Everything was still in a bind after that. Had I left it that way it would have been all over the road. This is a significant upgrade. I'm not worried about the weight, partly because the aluminum drive shaft saves quite a bit of weight, but also because this will be a much better suspension in the end.

[@fitteritout3622]

Great video with great information. A couple questions after I say thanks now I want Chinese 😐 do you loose any ground clearance with that brace hanging under the differential and do you think the grease zerk could get broken off by sticking straight down I would think it would be better being out the side.

[@loloforge2841]

"Now let's go to lunch!!!" (min 36:13). Haha, eric youre such a cool guy. And humble as well. Good luck my fiend!' BTW I just put a CORTEX Torque Arm on my Saleen Extreme. Bad ass stuff! Actually I havent had Chinese in a million years. Good idea.

[@dandel351]

Cool video Eric , as it states in the comments the Fairmont is up and going . I have 2 questions , how do you like it ? And how many videos are left in the series until we see the car running?

[@ericthecarguy]

The car is not running. I'm probably a couple of months away yet. I have several videos to go before I get to where I am now, I have no idea how many more it will be before the car is up and running if I'm honest.

[@jimbola77]

you the man eric!!!!