Transverse Torque Rods for
U.S. and Canada
SUBJECT: Requirements and Guidelines
LIT NO: 59310-004
DATE: April 2013
REVISION: F

INTRODUCTION
Transverse torque rods provide lateral support for Hendrickson suspensions. They also provide
greater stability and roll stiffness as well as keep the axle centered laterally and control axle
walk-out on rear suspensions.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
TRANSVERSE TORQUE RODS ARE INCORPORATED FOR VEHICLE STABILITY. IF THESE COMPONENTS
ARE DISCONNECTED OR ARE NONFUNCTIONAL THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE OPERATED. FAILURE
TO DO SO CAN RESULT IN ADVERSE VEHICLE HANDLING AND POSSIBLE TIRE CONTACT WITH THE
FRAME. OPERATING A VEHICLE WITH NON-FUNCTIONAL TRANSVERSE TORQUE RODS CAN RESULT IN
LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY, AND PREMATURE COMPONENT DAMAGE.
DO NOT MODIFY OR REWORK PARTS WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION FROM HENDRICKSON OR THE
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER. DO NOT SUBSTITUTE OR USE REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS
NOT AUTHORIZED BY HENDRICKSON OR THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER. USE OF
MODIFIED, REWORKED, SUBSTITUTE OR REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AUTHORIZED BY HENDRICKSON
MAY NOT MEET HENDRICKSON’S OR THE ORIGINAL VEHICLE MANUFACTURER’S SPECIFICATIONS,
AND CAN RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE PART, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. USE ONLY HENDRICKSON AUTHORIZED REPLACEMENT PARTS.

TRANSVERSE TORQUE ROD RESTRICTIONS
NOTE

Transverse torque rods ARE NOT allowed to be used in conjunction with bronze center bushings.
WHEN TRANSVERSE TORQUE RODS ARE USED ON WALKING BEAM SERIES SUSPENSIONS,
THE EQUALIZING BEAM MUST USE A RUBBER CENTER BUSHING. EQUALIZING BEAMS THAT
CONTAIN A BRONZE CENTER BUSHING MUST BE CONVERTED TO A RUBBER CENTER BUSHING
PRIOR TO INSTALLING TRANSVERSE TORQUE RODS. FAILURE TO DO SO CAN CAUSE PREMATURE
COMPONENT WEAR AND/OR ADVERSE VEHICLE HANDLING.

TRANSVERSE TORQUE ROD REQUIREMENT
Transverse torque rods are REQUIRED for vehicles equipped with the following Hendrickson
rear suspensions:
• AR2™
• COMFORT AIR®
• AL 405 / MAXAIR

• HAS™
• HAS™ 40LH
• HA™

• HN®
• HAULMAAX®

• PRIMAAX® EX
• FIREMAAX® EX
• PRIMAAX
• FIREMAAX

Transverse Torque Rods for U.S. and Canada
TRANSVERSE TORQUE ROD REQUIREMENT (contd.)
Transverse torque rods are REQUIRED for vehicles equipped with walking beams and rubber
center bushings for Hendrickson rear suspensions as specified in Table 1.
TABLE 1
SUSPENSION

EQUALIZING BEAM LENGTH
CAPACITY

Less than 60"

34K

★

60" and longer

40K

★

44K – 52K

Required

R, RS, RT

65K

★

RT

70K

Required

CAPACITY

64" and Less

Longer than 64"

85K – 120K

★

Required

R, RS, RT, RTE

SUSPENSION
R, RS

Required

★ Transverse torque rods ARE REQUIRED in all refuse, mining, and logging applications, although
available for vehicles in other applications.

TRANSVERSE TORQUE ROD RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES
Transverse Torque Rods are recommended where it is necessary to restrict the lateral movement of the axles to prevent interference of the tires, brakes, axle housings, etc. with the frame,
body, or suspension components. The proper clearance is determined by the vehicle manufacturer prior to vehicle assembly.
NOTE

Hendrickson recommends the use of Grade 8 bolts, Grade C locknuts and hardened washers for
all transverse torque rod attachments.
■

With the vehicle at loaded ride height, the transverse torque rod horizontal centerline has
an angle of 90° ± 2.5° to the frame, see Figure 1.

■

The transverse torque rod frame brackets are mounted to the frame and located as close
as possible to either the bottom frame flange (preferably) or top frame flange, see Figure 1.

■

Frame backup plates are required with transverse torque rod frame brackets, see Figure 1.

FIGURE 1

2

59310-004

Transverse Torque Rods for U.S. and Canada
FIGURE 2

NOTE

■

Transverse torque rods
should be positioned
as low as possible to
the horizontal centerl i n e o f t h e a x l e, b u t
high enough as not
to interfere with axle
components during
articulation.

■

Install transverse torque
rods perpendicular to
the frame rails (90°
± 2.5°) as shown in
Figure 2.

A vehicle equipped with
transverse torque rods may
experience some reduction
in suspension articulation
or increased lateral stiffness
and resistance to turning,
especially with radial ply tires.
FIGURE 3

Hendrickson Truck Commercial
Vehicle Systems engineering
supplies non-specific transverse
torque rod axle brackets as
shown in Figure 3.
Hendrickson does not set the
guidelines with regard to transverse torque rod axle bracket
heights or footprints, due to the
many variations of axle combinations, frame widths, and
suspension ride heights. Refer
to the vehicle manufacturer for
component specifications.

Hendrickson Non-specific
Transverse Torque Rod Axle Brackets
Axle Bracket
Part Number

Axle Model Number
*Dana
(Eaton)

48042-000

46868-000

3

Eaton D480

Rockwell SL100
*Meritor
Rockwell SQ100
(Rockwell)
Rockwell SQHP

* It may be necessary to cross-reference the provided axle model
number to the current manufacturer’s model number.

Refer any questions on this publication to Hendrickson Tech Services:

59310-004

Eaton D460

www.hendrickson-intl.com

Truck Commercial Vehicle Systems
800 South Frontage Road
Woodridge, IL 60517-4904 USA

59310-004 Rev F 04-13

1.866.755.5968 (Toll-free U.S. and Canada)
1.630.910.2800 (Outside U.S. and Canada)
Fax 1.630.910.2899

Information contained in this literature was accurate at the time of publication. Product changes may have been made after the copyright date that are not reflected.
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