Torque Tube Rebuilding
 

I have been through a few torque tubes due to issues with my conversion and having to use 20 year old replacements. Fortunately, I have sourced all of the parts needed to rebuild these monsters, including having the the drive shaft collars made by a machine shop out of delrin.

Here is a picture of the puck. Old type on the left, new style on the right.

There are four of these in the tube although I am running a 5th one in the front of the tube.

The black plastic part is the drive shaft collar which is difficult to remove and save. In most cases it becomes worn due to bearing failure. I could not find these collars anywhere so I had them made.

I live in Northern Virginia and instruct for NASA, BMW, AUDI, MB, Trackdaze and a few other groups so I'm at a track at least once a month.

As we know replacing the torque tube is a major pain. More and more are going bad and there are less and less of the good used ones available. My thought was why pay $200 for an unknown commodity when for a little more I can have all new guts.

I am offering two rebuild options and assumes that your drive shaft is reusable:

1) Replace the existing bearings with OE steel bearings and delrin collars for $320.00. I would warranty the parts and workmanship for 3 years.

2) Replace the existing bearings with Ceramic Hybrid bearings and delrin collars for $404.00. I would warranty the parts and workmanship for as long as you have the tube. The specs on this bearing are unbelievable for strength and heat resistance. My set up will definitely out live my days at the track.

3) A 5th bearing would cost 55.00 for the steel bearing, 75.00 for the ceramic hybrid.

Your thoughts and comments are welcome. Shipping in and out is possible, but the cost would probably be close to $100.00 each way.

If anyone has a torque tube they don't want any more or with a damaged shaft, I would be happy to take it off of your hands.

Thanks as always.

Marc

Very cool!!! Welcome back even if it's only a visit!

Hey Marc!
That looks VERY nice, and is a terrific solution for ageing torque tubes.

HISTORICAL NOTE:
For those who don't go back that far with Dorki, Marc was one of the original 9 Founding Dorki, and hosted the first-ever Dorki engine drop. We have pics!
That was actually before the Board was established, and long before Marc came over to the FEWC dark side [ I was first]. His 3.2 transplanted 911 was his garage experiment back then.

Thank you David and Tony. I'm still looking for ways to help out fellow Porsche owners, just don't have the garage space I used to . . .

I wanted to give everyone a heads up on something I just learned about. One of the 928 companies is producing a "super torque tube bearing" (my terms not theirs). They apparently are in the process of making the same bearing for the 944 torque tube.

Here is the thread link that I ran across: http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...ferrerid=68196

No one seems to know how much the bearings will be, but in the interest of full disclosure and making sure that everyone knows what's out there I offer this for your consideration.

In the same thread there is a reference to a vendor who sells aluminum shaft collars. I have my reservations about using aluminum over delrin for the reasons in my post there.

Marc,

does your price include R&R or is this a "carry in" operation? I have a loud rattle under my car, not sure if it's the 5th gear or the TT, but it's got enough miles on it it could be either/both...

nate

Hi Nate,

It takes over 5 hours to remove the torque tube from a street driven 944 so it's definitely a bring it to me or meet me somewhere convenient for both of us.

It seems as if there is more interest in providing a rebuilding kit than doing the rebuilding so here is what I can do:

4 ceramic hybrid bearings and delrin collars for 300.00 plus shipping.

I'm having trouble getting any more of the C4 clearance steel bearings so for now I'm only offering the ceramic bearings.

Please do not buy any kit with the C3 bearing or buy a bearing replacement that is C3 clearance as they will fail far sooner than you would like.

Here is a picture of the front and rear of the new bearing with collar installed.

http://www.porschehybrids.com/albums...ewBearing1.jpg

Sounds like a great solution...I do not think I need it att but will bookmark this page for future reference. Also, PM'd you about the LS1 conversion.

Marc

I must have missed this before. How do you know when your tube needs rebuilding? I assume the preferred method of removing the tube is to take off the transaxle and pull it rearward? How hard is it to rebuild this yourself? Special tools/skills?

thanks