What are the purposes of torque links?

• A. TORQUE LINKS KEEP THE LANDING GEAR POINTED IN A STRAIGHT-AHEAD DIRECTION; ONE LINK CONNECTS TO SHOCK STRUT CYLINDER, WHILE THE OTHER CONNECTS TO THE PISTON.
• B. They dampen vibrations.
• C. They connect to the wheel hub directly.
• D. They provide electrical grounding.

Answer: (A)

Torque links serve to keep the landing gear aligned and prevent the oleo strut from twisting as the gear moves. They’re a two-link, hinge-in-the-middle arrangement that connect the shock strut cylinder to the piston rod, forming a scissor action. This setup ensures the wheel stays pointed straight ahead during extension and retraction, and it helps maintain the correct geometry so that the wheel doesn’t yaw or scrub as the gear cycles. They also provide a simple visual indication of full extension when the links appear in line.

Damping vibrations isn’t their primary job; that’s handled by the shock absorber itself. They don’t connect directly to the wheel hub, and they don’t provide electrical grounding.