Does anyone know what was cut off my front axle? It's an '82 pickup and based off the writing on the axle, it isn't original.

Looks to me like something was cut off the driver's side, its got weird melted metal on it that looks like it was cut off with something, here's some pics (lots of fuzzy seeds)






Anyone know what was there, if anything?

 

Torque rod.

 

Thanks, know why?

 

Why it was on there? To reduce/elimiate axle wrap and keep the axle aligned.

Why it was cut off? Probably due to lift.

 

Something I should worry about not having?

 

looks like what i cut off mine. im putting a truss on thats why i cut it. i have no idea what it is. apparently a torque rod

 

Never seen an SAS with a torque rod, but yours is factory, correct? being a pre-'86. I think you'll be fine...

 

its a torque rod.

i believe most people cut them off. for as few reasons.
1. on a SAS you dont have a place for it to mount.
2.you cant lift your trucks without having to remove it or modify it
3. (not fully sur here) i think people also remove them because when changing the front springs to something not stock it is no longer needed.

 

cut mine off because it would get in the way of my high steer.
Running 35's my truck seems to handle fine with out it.
you might check out 4Crawler's site. I think he has something there about the pro & cons...

 

I think someone mentioned in another thread, that with stock steering, under hard braking it has a tendency to pull hard to the right. That is, without a torque rod of course.

The only other reason i can see it, is to prevent axle wrap in 4wd.

 

I dont run mine and truck still drives great...
with out it you will have wondering during hard braking situations but still controlable Ive been with out mine fore years and never had a problem and never felt unsafe