Torque Tube

[soup]

Considering an 87 944 that's going to need a torque tube in the next couple years. I know a little about 944 maintenance having owned a 924S, but never dealt with this issue.

Anyone have any background on how big or expensive that job is?

Thanks very much.

- Jim

[Techno Duck]

Its alot of work to replace. Requires disconnecting and lowering the rear suspension and removal of the transmission. It is basically a clutch job with the added fun of dropping the rear suspension. I did this job on a lift at my friends shop and it was still a major pain in the ass.. by far the worse job i ever performed on one of these cars.

Expect the same amount of hours as a clutch job and i would estimate 4+ hours extra labor, including a wheel alignment afterwards... and replace the clutch while everything is apart!

If your considering this car, i would think about just leaving the torque tube alone and driving the car as is. My '87 n/a had a bad bearing when i bought it and like 30k+ miles later when i sold the car it was no better or worse. Wait until the car needs the clutch before you replace the tube.

[soup]

Thanks for the background! It sounds like the problem is more annoying than critical to how the car drives.

[gricec]

I did it on jack stands in my driveway and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Worst part is leveraging the rear suspension down. It is only about 8 bolts though to lower it and none of them are in pita places.

[flash968]

whether or not to replace a bad torque tube bearing depends largely on which one it is, how deep you are willing to go, and what you are willing to risk down the road.

if it is the front bearing, and you don't replace it, you can figure to at least be replacing a rear main seal soon.

if it is the rear bearing, and you don't replace it, you could easily be looking at a front trans seal, and quite possibly an input bearing and/or input shaft.

if it is the center bearing or bearings, then the risk is pretty minimal.

in any event of a change, i concur that a clutch is in order, as the labor is essentially already done.

[John_AZ]

Originally Posted by soup

Considering an 87 944 that's going to need a torque tube in the next couple years. I know a little about 944 maintenance having owned a 924S, but never dealt with this issue.

Anyone have any background on how big or expensive that job is?

Thanks very much.
- Jim

$$$ answer for parts, labor extra.

Constantine (Black Sea RD) on RL Rennlist is the authority on TT bearings.
It just depends on your budget.

The very best will cost about $500 a set(3) or a set of 4 for $680 for parts. (Thanks flash968)
Black Sea R&D

You can get SKF or FAG for about $200 (+-)a set.
Rennlist Discussion Forums - View Single Post - Torque tube bearings?

GL
John

[flash968]

while they say that "some owners use 3 bearings", they recommend 4, which is what is there stock

great looking bearings, and i am having them installed now

[soup]

Thanks John AZ and flash 968. Right now I don't have the means or expertise to do this job myself (someday, I sincerely hope), so I'd probably pay a tech here to do it. Sounds like the uprated bearings is the way to go though.

[John_AZ]

Make sure you get a couple of quotes or have very deep pockets:

Torque tube $3700?!! - Rennlist Discussion Forums

GL
John