Get FIT from ATRO. Fleet Improvement Tips.
Get FIT from ATRO. Fleet Improvement Tips.
Improve performance and productivity.
Jump to FIT TIP #1 below.
Jump to YOUTUBE VIDEOS below.
Get a competitive edge.
ATRO helps you stay competitive with tips on how to keep your fleet running smoothly. Our FIT program arms you with information that will give you an upper hand over the competition.
Reduce operating costs.
With FIT, ATRO provides fleets with methods to reduce downtime and manage service costs.
It's about strengthening the value of your purchases. It's about making your job easier.
Improve profitability.
Your bottom line depends on equipment that performs. ATRO is dedicated to helping you get the most out of the equipment you have using our high-quality polyurethane parts.
ROOT CAUSE
Corrosion from oil, grease, cleaning solvents, rock salt, hydraulic fluids, diesel fuels, and other chemicals often cause elastomer and rubber bushings to deteriorate and fail.
See YOUTUBE VIDEOS below.
COSTS
• Increased maintenance costs.
• Wear on suspension, tires, steering, and other components.
• Safety issues and risk of costly CSA points violations.
See WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? below.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
1. Inspection
2. Replace worn torque rods or torque rod bushings with new ATRO polyurethane torque rods with free-rotation bushings. The ATRO bushing “freely” rotates 360 degrees and is designed to fit all clocking angles.
See INSPECTION SCHEDULES below.
EXPECTED OUTCOME
With ATRO polyurethane torque rods and bushings, you can expect to save time and money because installation is faster and simpler, and our parts last 3-5 times longer than rubber.
Your trucks will spend less time in the shop, and more time on the road.
See THE ATRO SOLUTION below.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
The torque rods on your trucks maintain proper suspension alignment. Worn torque rods cause these problems:
- Excessive tire wear—A bad tire caused by a bad suspension part can lead to long list of problems, not the least of which is points and CSA violations.
- More fuel consumption—The truck is working harder to overcome resistance from bad suspension parts.
- Wear and deterioration of other critical driveline and suspension components.
View Suspension Schematics for systems and parts.
Try the ATRO Torque Rod Finder for fast selection.
Get more info at the Torque Rod page.
INSPECTION SCHEDULES
Inspect your torque rods on a regular basis. Look for signs of wear, and replace worn torque rods.
Regular inspection for torque rod failure is critical to the safety and performance of your fleet. The recommended inspection schedule is:
- OTR Trucks—every 50,000 miles or 6 months
- Heavy-duty vocational applications—every 90 days
- Trailers that run empty—every 90 days
(bouncing can cause early failure)
See Inspection Methods below.
THE ATRO SOLUTION
The ATRO bushing “freely” rotates 360 degrees and is designed to fit all clocking angles. This results in a smoother ride—especially on rough or uneven surfaces—and reduces stress on other key systems and components of the truck.
Try the ATRO Savings Calculator for cost analysis.
Use the ATRO Torque Rod Finder for fast selection.
Get more info at the Torque Rod page.
CORROSION
Caused by failed paint or powder coating, or exposure to caustic chemicals such as acid wash, or road salt. Visual clue: look for corrosion on the exterior surfaces of the rod. This is a safety hazard and the rod should be replaced.
BUSHING WINDUP
Caused by improper bushing angle, bushing and ride height not “at zero” or equal angles. The result is accelerated wear of the bushing due to pre-loaded rotational force. Visual clue: look for radial cracks in the rubber bushing around the pin.
BUSHING WALKOUT
Caused by misalignment, or installation lubricant not allowed to dissipate, or a bond failure. Visual clue: excessive rubber exposed on one side and often metal-on-metal on the opposite side.
BUSHING EXTRUSION OR DEFORMATION
Also called deformation. Caused by exceeding the rating of the bushing and overloading the suspension, or “oil soaked” when rubber is in prolonged contact with chemicals such as oils, engine fuels, hydraulic fluids, cleaning agents. Visual clue: the rubber becomes soft and pliable and the weight of the truck extrudes it out of the sides of the bushing.
DRY ROT
Caused by age, heat, UV rays, temperature extremes, ozone, oxidation, and lack of use. It is evident by cracks in what otherwise appears to be a good bushing. This is a sign that the material has been compromised and should be replaced.
CATASTROPHIC FAILURE
Almost always caused by poor preventive maintenance and is almost always the result of some other system or component problem going unchecked. Visual clue: torque rod and bushing are destroyed.
DAMAGED GREASE SEALS
Caused by age and contact with foreign objects. Once the seal is broken, the lube leaks causing metal-on-metal. Visual clue: rubber or ball-type bushing deformed and exposing metal-on-metal at the bushing joint.
BENT OR BROKEN TORQUE RODS
Bent caused by hard impact, or improper rod length. Broken are rare, but typically caused by exceeding the load rating of the suspension. Broken transverse rods can be caused by misalignment.
DAMAGE TO STRADDLE/TAPER PINS
Caused by impact, or severe misalignment, or out-of-round brackets due to improper bushing removal.
WORN MOUNTING HOLE
Caused by loose or over-tightened fasteners.
ATRO Free-Rotation Bushings Faster, Simpler Installation
ATRO | The Industry's Best Torque Rods
ATRO | The Torque Rod Part 1
ATRO | The Torque Rod Part 2