How much play in torque-tube bearings is too much?

[DannoXYZ]

So I'm doing clutch on my 951 and found that PO had installed an early 944na torque-tube... hmmm...

After I slid the TT back out of the clutch, I can spin the drive-shaft by hand and it continues to spin for a while. Rocking the drive-shaft up & down, I can feel some radial-play relative to the outside torque-tube. Looking in, I don't see any movement between the drive-shaft and the bearing's inner-race, so I think the sleeve is OK.

Is this radial-play normal? How much is allowed? Or should there be no play?

[rufrob]

I think the right amount of play is zero. I would recommend to replace them. Its a lot easier than you think. The tricky part for me was riveting the bearing holder.
Tape measure, PVC pipe, dish washing liquid for lube a hammer and a couple of hours you are done. The original bearing bushings are reusable it removed carefully.


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[DannoXYZ]

Yeah, i thought that even with larger C4 or C5 clearance, there shouldn't be any play. I might as well replace them while I've got it out.

[944 Ecology]

Time to replace... You will be surprised by how much grease has migrated out from the bearings.

[dgcantrell]

These videos ought to help out a few people...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHT1A8wJdfQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-j2Y0rqz3E

[DannoXYZ]

Originally Posted by 944 Ecology

Time to replace... You will be surprised by how much grease has migrated out from the bearings.

Yeah, the bearings seem dry. I don't think the driveshaft should spin for very long, if at all. It has that dry feel like skateboard bearings.

[DannoXYZ]

I assume there's no way to extract the torque-tube without dropping the torsion-bar carrier?

[pfarah]

I heavily documented my TT rebuild a couple years ago. Not a difficult job but definitely time consuming. You have to modify the rivets to make them fit and I installed three each way.

[Techno Duck]

Taking the torque tube out is one ****ty job, even with the car on a lift. The torsion bar assembly has to be dropped about 8 inches in order to slide the torque tube out. This is a do it once, do it right job. I decided to go with the SuperBearings made by Constantine on Rennlist. It was not cheap, but ill sell the car before i take the torque tube out again .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-924-944-968-technical-forum/547764-those-who-have-replaced-torque-tube.html

[DannoXYZ]

I've been hoarding a set of bearings for years now, dreading this job. Now that I have a worn out throwout bearing, I might as well do it all. Thanks guys.