May 6, 2013
Torque Arm Rear Suspension
For ’70-81 Camaro/Firebird
Installation Instructions
The following instructions are intended for professional installers
and are guidelines only. Speedtech Performance assumes NO
responsibility for the installation of any of its products. All products are
intended for off road use only and must be installed by qualified
professionals only.
Thank you for purchasing your new Speedtech Torque Arm Rear Suspension System.
Installing this product will require the removal of your old rear suspension. Take all necessary
precautions whenever jacking up your vehicle and use safe and sturdy jack stands to support
the vehicle whenever it is off the ground. Be sure to take all other safety precautions required
to do the job correctly.
1 | P a g e
2 | P a g e
Note: This kit requires approximately 30 minutes of welding time to install the upper rear cross
member and rear axle mounted support brackets. If you have opted to use your current rear
axle rather than ordering a Speedtech prepped rear axle, you will need to remove the existing
leaf spring mounts and have your Torque Arm rear axle brackets installed. A guide for bracket
location is included with the brackets. We highly recommend you use a professional shop
familiar with welding brackets onto rear axles, one who has an axle jig and/or the ability to
straighten the axle tubes should they warp during welding.
The vehicle should be on a level surface before you start.
1. The first step will be to disconnect your brake lines and parking brake cables.
Then remove your original drive shaft, shocks, leaf springs, leaf spring pockets,
rear axle, pinion snubber and bracket, bump stops and fuel tank.
Front Spring Pocket
2. There are two 3/8” holes that need to be drilled in the pocket. Approximate
location is shown below. These holes will be used later in the installation.
3 | P a g e
3. Using two ½ x 2” sleeves, the ½”x 4.5” bolts, ½” stover nuts and the black
aluminum spacer, install the articulink lower trailing arms into the leaf spring
pockets with the small sticker indicating D (driver) or P (passenger) at the front.
Do Not completely tighten the bolts at this time as they use stover lock nuts and
you will be removing them again later in the installation. The spacers should be
installed towards the outside of the car and grease fittings should point
downward. Install the spring pocket and trailing arm assemblies back into the car
and snug the bolts.
4 | P a g e
Pictured below is the final spring pocket and trailing arm assembly. Note that the
articulating portion of the trailing arm is towards the front, and the spacer is
towards the outside of the car.
Here is the passenger side Articulink NOTE the swivel end mounts to the front.
The bend goes towards the inside of the car.
5 | P a g e
Upper Main Cross Member
The upper main cross member has been designed to accommodate either a car
with stock wheel wells or one that has been mini tubbed with the frame rails still
in the factory position. The cross member consists of three parts, 2 side plates
and the 1 center X member.
This photo shows the passenger side. FORWARD >>>
4. Position the side reinforcement plate on the inside/ bottom of the frame rail. The
rear of the plate should be 16.75” forward of the original rear leaf spring shackle
mounting hole center line. On the '67-68 Camaro, use the upper bump stop
mounting bolt to align the side brackets through the provided mounting hole in the
bracket. Tack weld brackets in place.
6 | P a g e
5. Lift the rear X member up and hold it tight to the lower side plates, center the X
member in the chassis. The rear edge of the X member should be approximately
21” from the original leaf spring shackle mount center line. See diagram below.
7 | P a g e
There will be an approximate ¼” gap between the X member and the side plates.
This is to accommodate variances in the factory assembly. Make sure the X
member is centered and tack weld it in place so that it does not move. Now
assemble and test fit the entire rear suspension (see below) in order to make sure
everything is square and there is no interference between any parts. Do not skip
this part, it is vital to be sure all components fit correctly before the X member is
fully welded in.
Rear End Brackets
9” Ford
6A. The pinion mount is a straight bolt-on over the existing pinion support.
Remove the five original bolts, position the pinion mount, and reinstall using the
new hardware supplied with the mount. Note: This bracket is designed to work
with the original Ford pinion mount clocking position. Some aftermarket 9“ centers
have non-Ford clocking. Non-Ford pinion mount clocking WILL NOT WORK
CORRECTLY. Please verify that your center is correct. If you are not sure, please
contact your axle manufacturer before beginning the installation.
The two small lower rear Torque Arm mount tabs must be welded to the housing
as per the guidelines supplied with the bracket kit.
8 | P a g e
9 | P a g e
12 Bolt GM
6. The rear mounting ring will be sandwiched between the axle housing and rear
housing cover. You will have to clearance some of the casting flash to allow the
ring to mount flush. Apply high quality silicone to the housing, set the mounting
ring in place, apply silicone and then the cover. Tighten bolts to manufacturer's
specs.
10 | P a g e
The supplied billet aluminum pinion clamp must be made to fit the pinion snout.
Due to the different variations in housings and castings you will need to grind
some of the support castings away until the mount fits perfectly. The diagrams
supplied below will show where and how much to grind off. When you have the
correct fit for the mount, bolt it together using the hardware supplied with the
mount.
11 | P a g e
12 | P a g e
Shock and Trailing Arm Axle Mounts
7. Using the guidelines supplied with your bracket kit, the trailing arm and pan
hard bar mounts need to be welded onto your axle housing. It is very critical that
the axle mounting surface is prepped properly and the brackets are aligned
correctly and square to the diff as per the instructions. If you have purchased a
complete Speed Tech 9” housing then all this will be done for you.
Torque Arm Front Mount
The front cross member mount for the torque arm is mounted tight to the floor
above the body mount. If you are using solid body mounts it is recommended
that you machine 3/16” off the top side of the mount to accommodate the
thickness of the X member. This will ensure that your sub frame remains in the
original position. The mounting holes are slotted to allow for adjustment of the
mount.
8. Support the front of the sub frame on a jack and remove the bolts for the rear
sub frame / body mounts. Slip the Torque arm mounting X member in between
the floor and the top of the existing body mount. Make sure the X member tabs
are pointing forward. Reinstall the bolts.
13 | P a g e
Installing the Rear End and Torque Arm
Torque Arm Assembly
9. Install the Torque Arm Delrin bushing on the front pin using the 3/8 bolt and
lock washer. You may also want to apply blue loctite to the bolt threads.
14 | P a g e
Assemble the rear pivot busing and 9/16 x 2” sleeve into the Torque Arm rear
mount. Attach Torque Arm to the axle housing using the 9/16 x 3 ¼“ bolt and
9/16” stover nut.
Attach the torque arm to the pinion mount. Loosely install the ½ x 2” bolts
through the dog bone, then through the torque arm and into the mount.
15 | P a g e
10. Place your housing/ Torque Arm on a jack and raise it up into position. Install
the front pivot pin into the front X member. Install the rear trailing arm ends into
the brackets on the axle housing using the 12 x 3 ½“ bolts and nuts. Do not
tighten completely. Install the shocks without the springs. Install the pan hard bar.
Set the axle housing to your approximate ride height location and check and
adjust the pinion angle by shimming between the billet mount and the torque
arm. Be sure to check drive shaft clearance while doing this.
Note: Pinion angle should be set to between 0-2 degrees from the crank shaft angle,
not level to the ground. (If you put a digital degree gauge or inclinometer vertically on
the face of the crank pulley and it reads 87 degrees then you should set the pinion at
between 87-90 degrees)
Adjust pan hard bar to center the axle. The best way to do this is to hang a plumb
bob from the peak of either side rear wheel opening and measure inward to
adjacent points on the rear axle. Adjust as necessary.
11. Re check that all components have clearance and that all measurements are
correct.
12. Remove shocks and assemble the springs onto the shocks .
13. Weld in the upper rear X member.
14. Reinstall the shocks.
16 | P a g e
15. Remove the rear seat. Remove one trailing arm from the rear axle mount and
swing it down on the front pivot. Using the two holes in the spring pockets as a
guide, drill holes up through the floor. Install two 3/8 x 1 ¼“ bolts through the
spring pocket and floor and tighten with the accompanying nuts. Repeat for other
side. Reinstall rear seat.
16. Reinstall all components and tighten all hardware, lubricate all grease fittings
and fill rear end with oil.
17. Check all fasteners and axle pinion angle one last time. Hook up the brakes
and install the wheels. Lower the car down to check your ride height. Adjust
shocks until desired ride height is achieved.
18. It is always a good idea to have the alignment checked by a professional
alignment shop when changing suspension parts.
The pan hard bar adjustment includes two heim joints to center the rear end and
help wheel fitment. The driver side pan hard bar height adjustment is for
adjusting the roll center and needs to be set level at ride height with all the
finished weight in the car.
17 | P a g e
Passenger side pan hard bar adjustment is also for adjusting roll center. For
standard setup, adjust the pan hard bar so it is level at ride height with all the
finished weight in the car.
Trailing arms can be adjusted by turning them in or out to center the wheels in
the wheel well. Trailing arms should be set close to level again at ride height and
can be adjusted to any hole position to increase or decrease anti squat.
Lowering the rear of the arm increases anti squat, helping to increase traction.
18 | P a g e
For coil over adjustment, use the threaded nuts on the shock only to fine tune the
ride height. The springs are only intended to hold the weight of the car. The shock
should have approximately 2” of travel both in compression and extension. You
should be able to see 2” of shock shaft when the car is at ride height. If you are
having to adjust the spring nuts all the way up the shock to raise the vehicle then
the springs are too soft for the weight of your car. The adjusting nuts should be
approximately in the middle of the adjustment or lower.
For shock dampening adjustment, depending on the shocks you ordered, there
are different amounts of adjustment. On all shocks, turning the adjustment knob
counter clockwise will soften the ride and clockwise will stiffen the ride. On a
single adjustable shock the adjustment affects both the compression (bump) and
extension (rebound). Follow the coil over manufacturer’s recommendation on any
adjustments
Speedtech Performance USA LLC
3884 S. River Rd. Bldg A
St. George, UT 84790
(435)-628-4300
www.speedtechperformance.com
19 | P a g e
Terms and Conditions of Sale
1. Effective January, 2008, supersedes all previous policy statements. Policies are subject to change without notice. Speed tech performance
Ltd. is not responsible for printing errors.
2. Speed Tech Performance Ltd. does not endorse, nor recommend modification of vehicles for use on public highways, since warranty or
government regulations may be violated. As an express condition of sale of any performance part, the buyer acknowledges and agrees to use
the performance parts for the modification of vehicles in sanctioned OFF-ROAD competitive events and show purposes only. Customers
should exercise their discretion on matters with regards to the purchase and installation of these products.
3. Speed Tech Performance Ltd. does not ensure the legal use of these products. We do not guarantee the fitment of these products for
anything other than there intended application nor do we assume any responsibilities what so ever for the misuse or losses incurred by the
use of any of these components. While every effort is made to provide technical information and assistance, we have no control over owner
installation, modification, and unusual stress that performance parts are subject to.
4. The customer acknowledges that Speed Tech Performance Ltd. and its employees are not responsible for any mechanical failures due to
the use of parts sold, supplied or installed not for their intended application. Speed Tech Performance Ltd will not be held liable for any
damages which are incurred directly or indirectly on the vehicles or operators or passengers of the vehicle
5. Please consult your sales agent and/or technician prior to purchase of any of Speed Tech Performance Ltd. Products to ensure proper fit.
The buyer assumes all responsibilities for determining the suitability of the product. All aftermarket products should always be installed by
professionals only.
Warranty Claim:
1. Speed tech Performance Ltd. Warrants its products against materials and workmanship failure for the term of 12 months (1 year) from the
date of purchase and only up to the amount paid with proof of purchase.
2. Seller’s liability shall as limited to repairing or replacing, at its option, any defective product which is returned, freight prepaid to Seller,
according to the Merchandise Return Procedure set forth in Section 3 below. Buyer shall bear all responsibility for shipping charges and risk of
loss or damage during transit to Seller. Products which have been subjected to abuse, misuse, alteration, neglect or unauthorized repair or
installation, as determined solely by Seller, are not covered by this warranty. Any alterations, addition, improvements or attachments to the
product(s) not authorized in writing by the Seller shall be deemed to be a waiver of this warranty by Buyer and shall render this warranty null
and void. Seller shall return repaired or replaced product(s) to Buyer, at its expense via regular ground service in Canada. Shipping charges
by all other methods and to all other destinations shall be borne by Buyer.
3. Merchandise return procedure
A. If you purchased your Speed tech performance ltd product from us or from an authorized dealer, you are covered by the terms of this policy.
All claims however, must be submitted directly to Speed tech performance Ltd.
B. Call the customer service representative at 1-888-467-1625.
C. Provide the invoice number, date of purchase and reason for return
D. You will be assigned a Returned Goods Authorization Number (RGA). The package you return must show the RGA on the outside of the
package, include the original invoice and be shipped prepaid to our facility. The part has to be in its original packaging materials and be in a
sellable condition. For parts presenting signs of use, only warranty claims will be accepted.
E. Ship to seller, freight pre-paid and insured for replacement cost in original packaging.
F. Replacement or repair decision will be made when merchandise is received by seller. No advance replacement is available.
How to File a Warranty Claim:
The answer to ALL the following questions should be YES before contacting our Customer Service Department.
Is the part appropriate to your application?
Did you carefully and thoroughly read the instructions provided along with the part?
Do you have the proof of purchase?
Are you the original purchaser?
Is the part unmodified and clean?
Is the return date within 3 months from the purchase date?
Is the reason for return a legitimate product defect?
If the answer to all these questions is YES, please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-888-467-1625. You will be given a Returned
Goods Authorization Number (RGA) valid for 30 days. You will also be asked to ship the part prepaid to our facility. All shipments MUST be
prepaid, include the original invoice and show the RGA on the outside of the package, otherwise it will be refused. Please include a brief
explanation letter in order to expedite the warranty analysis process.
What doesn’t this Warranty Cover?
The costs not covered by this warranty include but are not limited to:
- Removal, installation, shipment and insurance costs.
- Improper installation or maintenance
- Misuse or abuse, negligence
- Damage to related components
- Normal wear and tear.
- Costs incurred due to down time of vehicle
- Alterations on the original design or unauthorized repairs.
All warranties implied by law are limited in duration of this warranty. You have specific rights that may vary from state to state or Province to
Province. By purchasing any of the products that are manufactured by speed tech performance you agree to any and all of the above terms
and conditions. Copyright © Speedtech Performance USA LLC
20 | P a g e
Loading...