torque tube replacement

944for-ever · 09-27-2005, 03:40 PM

found a '86 porsche 944 on a local auction. guy says it has a new clutch but somehow when putting back together they cracked the torque tube, also has a broken drivers side window. he says the bodys good. going to see if I can buy it this weekend, if it is in any shape at all I will try to get it going again. if not, it would make a good parts car, but how hard would it be to replace the torque tube.

Brando · Brando's Garage

REAL ******* PAIN IN THE ARSE.

I would strongly not reccommend a torque tube replacement unless you have access to a lift for more than 40 hours.

You can get torque tubes that are rebuilt (four bearings inside instead of three) for $1400 and change I think. Finding a used one will set you back $600-$1200 with shipping included.

944for-ever · 09-27-2005, 04:33 PM

there is a 924 that hasn't moved in a while just sitting down the road. if I bough that would the torque tubes interchange.

Brando · Brando's Garage

No. They are different in diameter, spline count (i think) and the spline size (for both engine/clutch and transmission sides).

If you're really set on replacing it, find a roller with a dead motor, REMOVE the torque tube from that (to see how hard it is) and then decide if you want to interchange it.

It's not so much getting the whole driveshaft/torque tube that's a buttkicker, it is everything involved. Pretty much the engine, trans and torque tube are assembled into the car before the suspension is installed. That means you have to drop the rear trailing arms, hubs and wheels (everything) from the back end of the car to remove the torque tube from the car. And when you get the new one in, you get to have it re-aligned.

It would almost be easier to remove the front and rear suspension, drop the engine, torque tube and trans together as a solid unit, then disassemble them out of the car. But then again, you're looking at 40-60 hours to get every apart, replaced, and put back together.

I can understand replacing it if you absolutely have to, but it would almost be easier to find a real nice roller with a blown engine and replacing the engine. For the parts, its almost cost-prohibitive. For taking it to a shop it IS cost prohibitive and they probably wont do it. For the time involved that's up to you.

Like I said... if I absolutely had to, I'd replace mine. But if this is your daily drive and you need it swapped out, fixed and buttoned up in a weekend, fuhgeddaboudit.

944for-ever · 09-27-2005, 05:30 PM

sounds to me that if I buy it I'll just turn it into a parts car. the guy having the auction said they stuck $800 into it last year, didn't say what they did. Said they stuck $600 into a new clutch and that is when they cracked the torque tube. So between the new clutch and other odds and ends I could use most of the parts at one time or another if I can buy it cheap enough.

krahm · 09-28-2005, 05:08 AM

Quote:

And when you get the new one in, you get to have it re-aligned.

Brando, what do you mean by this? I just figured out, reading another recent post on this topic, that my t-tube bearings are on the way out. I was thinking about doing the job myself (I can't possibly afford to have someone else do it). Clark has posted his write-up on the procedure, and I looked it over, but I didn't see anything about alignment after re-installation. Or maybe I just missed it.

AznDrgn · 09-28-2005, 06:54 AM

They probably didn't break the TT more than likely they broke the bell housing. The TT is a steel pipe where as the bell housing is aluminum pop metal, much easier to break.

ae1969 · 09-28-2005, 07:19 AM

Uhmmm I swapped my torque tube in a much easier way.......

Pull the tranny. Undo the 4 bolts connecting to the bell housing.

7-8 bolts on either side of the suspension. The rear suspension can then be supported with a Jack. Don't disassemble the entire suspension.

Lower the rear suspension enough for the torque tube to clear.

Reverse what I said.

Brando · Brando's Garage

Sorry, should have clarified. Get a rear alignment done at your favorite nearby suspension and wheel shop.

Quote:

Originally posted by krahm
Brando, what do you mean by this? I just figured out, reading another recent post on this topic, that my t-tube bearings are on the way out. I was thinking about doing the job myself (I can't possibly afford to have someone else do it). Clark has posted his write-up on the procedure, and I looked it over, but I didn't see anything about alignment after re-installation. Or maybe I just missed it.

944for-ever · 09-29-2005, 06:00 PM

lets just say the body, paint, interior is decent. 100,000 miles, 5 speed, leather interior. all it needs is torque tube replaced, drivers side window, and a little TLC. how much should I expect to pay for a car in this condition?

AznDrgn · 09-29-2005, 06:43 PM

Is the engine maintenance done? If not maybe $1000-$1500 if it has closer to $2k.

Granite 944 · 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 944for-ever
lets just say the body, paint, interior is decent. 100,000 miles, 5 speed, leather interior. all it needs is torque tube replaced, drivers side window, and a little TLC. how much should I expect to pay for a car in this condition?

Its that "TLC" part...........ya REALLY got to watch out for! AND.......don't forget the "all it needs" part........LOL

Its hard to say what its really worth........a judgement call all the way........I know that if I can't drive the car off from the sellers location, than the price is gonna go down drastically.......cause that means I couldn't test drive it either. Who's gonna chime in now with the "ain't no such thing as a..................." ?

I'd LOVE to hear HOW they "cracked the torque tube". Scary techniques used, no patience, lack of experience, oh golly!........what else is as well done on this car. Get my point?

And IF you can't actually go see it before bidding/buying..........WELL..........now THATS! REAL SCARY.

Good luck!

Go into it, expecting the worse, and hope for the best, and offer the least for it. Your call.

EDIT: I was born in Souix Falls So. Dak. I felt the "need" to comment.

944for-ever · 09-30-2005, 04:55 PM

Quote:

EDIT: I was born in Souix Falls So. Dak. I felt the "need" to comment.

so was I!

Granite 944 · 10-01-2005, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 944for-ever
so was I!

Oh boy.........theres no hope for either of us than!

944for-ever · 10-01-2005, 02:53 PM

didn't get the car, the S.O.B. sold it before the auction even started.