OK, after 40 plus years of car ownership and hearing terms used for suspension and steering parts, I still get confused when a mechanic tells me my car needs some suspension/steering part replaced. There are a lot of slang terms used for suspension and steering parts. For example, "dog bones" is not the proper name of the part, but what does it refer to? Another one is "swing arm". The other day the service rep said my 1991 240 needs the torque rod bushings replaced. The term "torque rod" was a new one for me. Is that the proper name for that part, or is it something else? Is there a slang word for torque rod that is used more often? Also, what are the other terms used for control arm? You can probably tell by now that I do not do mechanical work on my cars. Just seems to me to be a lot of confusing terminology used for these parts. And yes, I have researched the forum for answers, but have not found anything that helps.

 

Just think of them as various "Johnson Rods"! But seriously, as in all fields, there is a terminology that is sometimes hard to master and I doubt that all users would agree on all or most terms--all kinds of variations exist. I wouldn't worry about too much, even manufacturers call the same parts different things. When you are sourcing something, look it up on a schematic, see the term used, ask for that...

 

Thanks, Lev. I guess I keep thinking, hoping, there may be some secret lexicon of suspension/steering terms that a member of the secret society of automobile techs has leaked to the masses who have no option but to take their broken down cars to the local repair shop for fixing.

 

Glossary of suspension terms

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Auto Repair Glossary - Car Repair Definitions and Descriptions - Terms For Automotive Repair

 

Torque rod bushings are a common wear item for 240's as they get high mileage. There are 2 torque rods in the rear of the car, keeping the rear axle/differential from rotating on its axis. Clunking from the rear of the car when taking off or coming to a stop are common symptoms.

 

and the 740/940's have a trailing arm in the front suspension, the bushing where it meets the main control arm wears out and leads to sloppy feeling steering.

740 front without the sway bars


the bushing i"m talking about is the one thats blue in this picture, below the steering tie rod.

 

Thanks to all for your replies. The shop that told me that the torque rod bushings are shot is not the regular place that services my 240. The regular place does not do tire work, so I took it to another shop to get the tires balanced and rotated. This shop told me the torque rod bushings are shot.

I recently returned to the regular place for a state inspection and told him that the tire place said the torque rod bushings are shot. He lifted the car up, inspected the bushings, and said they are OK for a car with only 120,000 miles on it. He indicated the location of the torque rods and where the bushings are located. Honestly, given the location of the bushings with the torque rods still on the car, I don't know how anyone can see the bushings without removing the torque rods, let alone tell their condition.

So, Pierce, are you saying that the term "trailing arm" is another name for "torque rod"?

 

Also called 'reaction rod' bushings: If they are bad once you step on the brakes you'll get an immediate shudder like a bad brake rotor except that it won't last through the braking while the rotor shake will.

On a lift, easy to tell if they are bad without removing them--you move the rod around with a big bar and if there is play, they are bad. Also, tire kicking is helpful--there would be play laterally...

 

no, trailing arms are something different. I was just pointing out another suspension part that often needs replacing, albeit only on a 7/9, while you have a 2, I shoulda just kept out of it. and actually, that part I pointed out is called a 'control arm stay' in the volvo drawings (a 240 has a one piece lower control arm, while the 7/9 have two pieces)

the trailing arms in the rear are the main pivots on either side... this is a 740/940 rear, the trailing arms are part #1. (I don't have a 240 rear end parts diagram handy)



(the thrust rods aka torque arms on a 7/9 are quite different, parts 31 and 34)