• Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!

  • Microsoft MSN, Live, Hotmail, Outlook email users may not be receiving emails. We are working to resolve this issue. Please add support@steelsoldiers.com to your trusted contacts.

 

All 5-tons: Heavy Duty Torque Rod Ends

MyothersanM1

19K M1 Armor Crewman
Steel Soldiers Supporter
1,954
401
68
Location
Culver City, CA
There was nothing wrong with the originals. It was my OCD again :-D. And, my push to make my truck safer for the civilian road. I recently replaced all the torque rods ends, again, no my M818. I replaced them with the "high-speed" heavy duty torque rod ends that are available through Erik's. These ends will fit all M39, M809, M939 and M939/A1/A2-series 5-ton trucks to include bridge trucks within those series with longer rear wheel centers.
http://www.eriksmilitarysurplus.com/torodendfor51.html
Again, my expenditures and experiences are your gain.

Each one includes the ball joint, castle nut, cotter pin, rubber dust shield and are pre-greased. There is no rubber to rot or tear away from the metal parts. It is a true ball joint with a zerk fitting so the may be periodically greased during vehicle maintenance. The rubber dust shield will help retain excess grease around the inner side of the ball joint. They are quite heavy, nearly 12 lbs. each, and have a very solid outer body. Once pressed into the torque rod, the rod is considerably heavier. The 1/4" lip on the outer edge allow the the torque rod to only press on in one direction. This lip will keep the torque rod from slipping to the outside if there is a catastrophic event. I replaced the cotter pins with the equivalent size in stainless.
torque-rod-end-for-5-ton-trucks-m54-m809-m939-heavy-duty-style-7979185hd-3.jpg

I bought a 4" dia, 1/4" wall, piece of steel tubing cut to 5" long for a pressing arbor. I chose the length in order to also use it to remove these joints as well as install. I had a channel machined at one end 1/8" in and 3/16" down to accommodate the ridge that encircles the face of the joint. The channel locks the arbor in place during pressing. I also bought a 1" thick X 4" dia. slug to span the gap of the tube. These two arbors will also work to press out the OEM ends.
Killed two birds with...two pieces...of...er, steel?? :???::cookoo:

IMG_0887.jpgIMG_0883.jpgIMG_0884.jpgIMG_0886.jpg

To save on extra costs, I picked up a 20 ton shop press. What have I done without this thing?? No running around town to the shop to do jobs like this, I love it!
Pressing was fairly easy. I used plenty of anti-seize applied inside the torque rod eyes. They start off very smooth then tighten up as they go down. Make sure you start pressing at the chamfered/beveled end of the torque rod. There is a very slight taper on the ball joint and torque rod eye and pressing from that direction will match them up. About 2/3 the way in, they will start to pop every second pump of the jack handle. Press the 1/4" lip on the ball joint to the torque end and they are done.

IMG_0877.jpg

New ball joints pressed into the torque rods. I found the best way to install the rubber dust shield is to push them down the tapered seat until the outer edge of the shield touches the torque rod eye. If you push the center all the way down to where the tapered seat goes into the ball joint, the outer edge likes to flip up. The shields will not make a good "seal" and allow more grease to drip out. Make sure they are installed prior to seating and tightening the ball joint on the truck. The tapered seats will misalign during handling. I used a rubber hammer to manipulate them to where I needed them by tapping around on them.
IMG_0881.jpgIMG_0880.jpgIMG_0879.jpgIMG_0878.jpg
IMG_0882.jpg

Assembly to the truck is the same as the standard torque rods. They are actually much easier to manipulate into the brackets due to the more flexible nature of them. The axle brackets can been pre-installed due to this. However, the top inner nuts on the trunnion bracket are still a PITA. I just disassembled the leaf spring and rolled it over to gain free access to the nuts. Do the top rods first getting the hard part out of the way. Tighten all castle nuts with hand tools, but never use an impact wrench. The force of the impact wrench will bind up the tapered seats and you'll never get them back out later on.
I regreased the ball joints with some Lucas Heavy Duty green grease. I have an air operated gun and it only takes about a 2 second shot to fill them. I plan to change the two upper axle joint zerk fittings to 90º. Due to clearance issues, It will make greasing those two joints easier than with the straight fittings.
This is the final product. I tested the articulation on a steep driveway at the storage yard and all appears to be OK. An extended road test is still waiting to be done.
I may paint the faces of the two ends visible on either side between the rear tires. The yellowy finish is kind of bothering me.
Anyway, another upgrade job I am glad I tackled.
IMG_0906.jpgIMG_0907.jpgIMG_0909.jpgIMG_0904.jpgIMG_0905.jpg
 
Last edited:

Trailboss

Well-known member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
1,577
137
63
Location
Norwood LA
Having one pop off that allowed the forward rear axle to rotate and rip the air brake lines while traveling (but not for long), I appreciate your information.!

That does look like a nice upgrade.
 

74M35A2

Well-known member
4,145
311
83
Location
Livonia, MI
Nice job. Not cheap! We need 8 to do all? Smells like a $1,000 ordeal. But I do see several stories of these coming apart on people.
 

MyothersanM1

19K M1 Armor Crewman
Steel Soldiers Supporter
1,954
401
68
Location
Culver City, CA
It does make you jump when they start "popping"! Its amazing the forces created in the hyd press.
My 14 year old was helping me and one popped pretty good. He told he was going to change his drawers :shock: :grin: I was a bit leery over the stock Harbor Freight arbor plates. I have heard explosive stories about those. I have replaced them with some nice upgrades.

Nice job. Not cheap! We need 8 to do all? Smells like a $1,000 ordeal. But I do see several stories of these coming apart on people.
You need 12 total, eight bottom and four top. $1620 before tax and shipping to be exact. I will sacrifice for safety. I don't want any lawsuits or a bad name for the military vehicle hobby. My truck also has new tubeless radial tires and full dual circuit air brakes.
 

Brutacus

Active member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
240
198
43
Location
Marion, AR.
I would feel better about this upgrade if I could see an exploded view of these torque rod ends. I would like to know how they are put together. It would be a shame if they are just pressed together. Other than that, it looks like a good.
 

MAdams

Active member
373
123
43
Location
San Dimas, CA
Those new rods look really nice. Were they originally intended as a replacement for the 5 ton or are they from another application?
 

simp5782

Feo, Fuerte y Formal
Supporting Vendor
12,088
9,248
113
Location
Mason, TN
They are $130 each plus shipping x 12. So brace yourself

They are a commercial application off of Heavy equipment They are made by Newstar. They are alot cheaper than what he is selling them for.
His 60$ shipping for two is a joke.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
 

simp5782

Feo, Fuerte y Formal
Supporting Vendor
12,088
9,248
113
Location
Mason, TN
Also there is nothing special about pressing them in. You can use the same piece of pipe or socket or whatever you have to press the old style in/out can be used. 60ton press really makes it easy.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
 

MyothersanM1

19K M1 Armor Crewman
Steel Soldiers Supporter
1,954
401
68
Location
Culver City, CA
From what I understand, they are designed as an upgrade for the OEM and are not from another application. These torque rods appear very specific and unique to this type of suspension.

I have spoken to Erik personally. He has told me his water truck customers use them and are satisfied with their off-road performance.

Get a hold of Erik and order one so you can check one out for yourself. I ordered four at a time as they are heavy. I unpacked the first one as was very surprised by the heft of these ends.

As far as longevity, there is no rubber to wear or rot out. However, there is a ball and socket that needs to be greased, 12 more spots to add to your Lube Order, during maintenance. Regularly lubed they should outlast the standard rubber ends.
I will update this thread with my further findings on performance.
 

MyothersanM1

19K M1 Armor Crewman
Steel Soldiers Supporter
1,954
401
68
Location
Culver City, CA
They are $130 each plus shipping x 12. So brace yourself

They are a commercial application off of Heavy equipment They are made by Newstar. They are alot cheaper than what he is selling them for.
His 60$ shipping for two is a joke.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
His distributor is local to me. I actually talked with them and was going to strike a deal directly. However, Erik is a good guy and conducts a fair and honest business. So, I ended up a cutting deal with him. I like supporting the small business owner.

60ton press really makes it easy.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
Must be like butter!
 
Last edited:

winfred

Member
358
9
18
Location
port allen la
i was trying to decide if they are worth twice as much for the deuce version as if they only last twice as long then they are the same price

They are $130 each plus shipping x 12. So brace yourself

They are a commercial application off of Heavy equipment They are made by Newstar. They are alot cheaper than what he is selling them for.
His 60$ shipping for two is a joke.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
 

MyothersanM1

19K M1 Armor Crewman
Steel Soldiers Supporter
1,954
401
68
Location
Culver City, CA
They are a commercial application off of Heavy equipment They are made by Newstar. They are alot cheaper than what he is selling them for.
I have not been able to find these anywhere else and I have searched the part numbers. Have you seen them available elsewhere?
 

simp5782

Feo, Fuerte y Formal
Supporting Vendor
12,088
9,248
113
Location
Mason, TN
I have not been able to find these anywhere else and I have searched the part numbers. Have you seen them available elsewhere?
Yes and i am testing 4 dogbones fitted with them as we speak. I tow heavy and haul heavy with mine so i will have a good understanding of their durability. They do have some lateral movement especially with a heavy trailer and emptu bed.
I won't disclose the part number or supplier till i am sure they are worth it. I installed 48 of them in 4 off road use only m931s last week. They are 100,000 lb gvw in mud on uneven terrain and 1 has failed so far.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
 

MyothersanM1

19K M1 Armor Crewman
Steel Soldiers Supporter
1,954
401
68
Location
Culver City, CA
Yes and i am testing 4 dogbones fitted with them as we speak. I tow heavy and haul heavy with mine so i will have a good understanding of their durability. They do have some lateral movement especially with a heavy trailer and emptu bed.
I won't disclose the part number or supplier till i am sure they are worth it. I installed 48 of them in 4 off road use only m931s last week. They are 100,000 lb gvw in mud on uneven terrain and 1 has failed so far.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
Thanks for your input. I would like to see the failed one, if you wouldn't mind sharing. In your best estimate, how much actual weight was on the truck when it failed?
 
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website like our supporting vendors. Their ads help keep Steel Soldiers going. Please consider disabling your ad blockers for the site. Thanks!

I've Disabled AdBlock
No Thanks