This is gonna be kinda long, but I gotta get every detail out because it may be vital to fixing what i'm not sure is or isn't a problem. I ordered a Spohn Performance Adjustable Torque Arm a while back. Thursday took to a friends house and we tried to put it in, but it wouldn't line up right with the place were it bolts down in front of the pumpkin in the rear. While trying to install it we needed some extra room so my friend cut off my exhaust hanger that is right next to the catalytic converter. And he also had to use a pry bar and put it above both the exhaust and driveshaft and pull down to get a bolt out of some sort of mount for the old crossmember (the Spohn arm also comes with a new crossmember). After fiddling with it for 5 hours, we said screw it and put all the factory stuff back on minus the hanger. Then yesterday, I took it to work and had them put it on there. They had to bend/pull out one of the ends a little for it to go over the mounting spot in front of the pumpkin, but they got it on. Everything went smoothly.... or so I thought. After I got off work, I took my car out for a test drive and noticed a clunk coming from what it feels like underneath me. It does it from a dead stop, from 1mph up to 50mph when you pop the gas (didn't notice it at any higher mph), does it when it shifts from 2nd to Drive and Drive to Overdrive, but doesn't from 1st to 2nd. Also the exact reverse when it downshifts. And sometimes does it when hitting bumps or turning slowly. When in Park or Neutral it doesn't do it though. So, could it be the torque arm? Driveshaft? Exhaust? Is it just normal from an aftermarket torque arm? My friend from work seems to think it is my u-joints, but I dunno. Anyways, any help is appreciated! BTW, sorry that was so long.

 

Check your transmission mount.

 

I have new ones on there, but i'll still check em' out.

 

Mine gives a very firm clunk with every shift. Its just noise transfer from the solid mount crossmenber and the trans. I too run a poly trans mount and a Spohn TQ w/ front sperical mount. I also I a full race Darrell Young 700r4 that really hits you in the back with every shift- this contributes alot to my so called "clunk"

 

So it's normal then? I hope so, cause I am kinda worried and scared to drive it. Should I still take it to work and look at it on a rack and stuff, ya know double check things over? I'd sure appreciate more people who have a Spohn Torque Arm to respond or even Steve himself.

 

It could be the tourqe arm wacking the underside. But if its just a little clunk then its probably just load transfering.
You could always put some paint on the tourqe arm. Then take it out for a test drive. Then check and see if any of the pain is on the floor pan. Or just check for dents.

 

Mine is definately a solid clunk from the drivetrain going into gears. No contact being made anywhere- I have lots of clearence and no issue with the arm making contact with the loop like others have stated I shimmed mine correctly. Just good ol metal on metal race car gear noise that all rednecks love.

 

A friend of mine suggested maybe it's the geometry/angle of the torque arm is not set right and may be putting a bit of pressure on the u-joints. Possible? I hope it's not the u-joints, that means more $ to shell out.

 

I think it's just the slop where the torque arm mounts to the crossmember... Mine has made the same clunk since day 1. I also had to bend those plates to make it fit over the rearend, was a bit ticked off about that.

 

Hate to bring up an old thread, but my new Spohn torque arm seems to clunk going over speed bumps too. Is that normal?