Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 06, 2025 ...

Torque rod bushing replacement

August 28, 2018, 06:13:49 pm

Hey
We have a 36ft u280 unihome ,it is a 1995
Our mechanic tells us that we need the bushings replaced on our torque rods
So these rods are actually square tubes about 2 inch which are located above the front axle
There is one that is parallel with the axle and two are perpendicular
They are bolted to the frame
My questions
Can I just purchase the bushings or do I have to buy the rod so as well
And finally where would I find them
Any help is appreciated
Thanks in advance Donnie

Quote Selected

Re: Torque rod bushing replacement

Reply #1 – August 28, 2018, 06:17:39 pm

Some of our members have replaced them - threads linked below.  BIG job - not for the faint of heart.

Torque rod bushings

Trailing Arm Service (aka: Torque Tubes)

Quote Selected

Re: Torque rod bushing replacement

Reply #2 – August 28, 2018, 06:25:11 pm

Sent you a message.

Quote Selected

Re: Torque rod bushing replacement

Reply #3 – August 28, 2018, 07:02:38 pm

Each rod has 4 bushing halves,2 nuts and bolts and 2 spacers that fit over the bolt.Many of mine were rusted badly,the spacer
rusted to the bolt so even with the nut off the bolt had to be cut to remove.The rods can be reused,I cleaned mine and repainted,
our coach had 5 rods in front and 5 in back,all parts availible at Foretravel.I would get some good penetrant and start spraying
now to loosen the spacer from the bolt.You'll need all bushings and spacers and a couple of nuts and bolts,the nuts and bolts
can be bought locally to save on shipping as they are heavey.Tell the mechanic to do 1 at a time and when you reinstall the rod
you may have to lower or raise the coach to get to fit.Socket and wrench is 1 1/4 inch and a impact is a must.May need a sawsall
if you have to cut bolts.

Quote Selected

Re: Torque rod bushing replacement

Reply #4 – August 28, 2018, 07:06:11 pm

Thanks to Chuck and John
I won't be attempting the job myself but will have it done next spring when we return to Canada
I will get the parts while in the USA this winter
I will probably Get the parts from foretravel
Thanks again

Quote Selected

Re: Torque rod bushing replacement

Reply #5 – August 30, 2018, 08:35:47 am

I think these are a overlooked item,especially after doing mine and finding all of the rubber bushings either hard as a rock or
falling apart.Is very labor intensive so would cost a good buck at a shop.

Quote Selected

Re: Torque rod bushing replacement

Reply #6 – August 30, 2018, 11:01:17 am

John44,

Do you happen to know the PN's for the bushings?

Know what years those PN's apply to?

Will likely help others to know.

Quote Selected

Re: Torque rod bushing replacement

Reply #7 – August 30, 2018, 11:40:15 am

Not sure of the years my bushings will fit,part number for the bushing is,70020,4 per rod,the fine thread nuts and bolts can be
found at Fastenal (save on shipping as they are heavey).When I talked to Foretravel parts they seemed to know which parts I
needed.Think all my parts for all 10 rods ran around $250,and I had to cut a few bolts in 2 places.

Quote Selected

Re: Torque rod bushing replacement

Reply #8 – August 30, 2018, 03:29:10 pm

I have seen some older coaches with Hutch RBT-201 one piece bushings, some with the Hutch 722-00 one piece,  and some coaches with the 2 piece bushing that may be a Hendrickson. So not all are the same, whether it was the day of the week special or what I have no idea. I installed a set of the Hutch Polyurethane PL1119 and won't even think about going back as they are well worth the extra $ or 2.

Mike

Quote Selected

Re: Torque rod bushing replacement

Reply #9 – August 30, 2018, 03:52:30 pm

The bushings I got from Foretravel were black and were like a mix between rubber and polyurethane.

Quote Selected