gm928

My car is making the torque tube noise. I know that I need to get it replaced. I don't have the garage space, tools, skill, etc. necessary to do it myself. Does anyone know how much I can expect to pay a mechanic or dealer for this job. I would expect to use a rebuilt unit, and to have anything else that is normally replaced along with the tube replaced. My car is a '90 S4 auto.

Thanks in advance.

Jay Wellwood

I'm not certain what the repair manuals call for in as far as time to charge.

From my experience, I would suggest ~40 hours at shop rates of anywhere from $65 to $100 just for labor - then the TT itself - from the vendors - ~$450. Not included are any other parts that may need to be replaced (like parking brake shoes, CV boots, rear brake pads, transmission fluid, torque converter bearings (btw - be sure to add these to your shopping list), or any other items that may 'pop' up).

Based on the above - at least $3,000 and maybe as much as $8,000 overall.

The job isn't really that bad - but it does take time and a garage/working space.

Sorry that price doesn't sound very appealing. Keep in mind, the Torque Tube bearings is what wears out - and as far as i know, there is little, if any, risk associated with them failing - other than the noise.

hth-

Tony

Id agree with Jay. Having had that wonderful noise in my own car, i waited for nearly a year before i moved into a house with garage space so i could do the job my self. The car drove fine, just turned heads all the time Trust me you take the car to a dealership, some 20 year old kid is going to just pick up a set of shop manuals and go at it...for $90 bucks an hour! I think my quote was in the 3-4K range. All said and done i think i did the job my self for well under 1K. Tube..converter bearings...tranny kit/fluids.

I have some pictures on my website on how i went about it.

Nothing you couldnt do!!

Having the room to do it is plus as well as a basic set of tools. Nothing special. <img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" />

Ketchmi

I just finished doing the whole job on my 86.5. It is time consuming, but not really that hard. I also came up with a way to rebuild the torque tube for around $50 by yourself. People on this board and others are willing to help with any information you may need. (Helped me greatly as I don't have the manuals yet!)

One of my torque converter bearings went south, but my torque tube bearings were not too far behind. The bearings themselves are not too hard to do yourself if you have access to a press.

While-you-are-at-it's include the seal and pump o-ring for the auto trans. It's also real easy to service your transmission and diff while you have them out. If your axle boots need attention, now is the time. You will also have the rear brakes dismantled, so if it's time or even close....

With a little help and all the necessary tools and parts lined up, and if things go smoothly, you can count on at least two full days. I set aside 1 weekend for removal, clean-up, rebuild the tt and converter bearings. Then I set aside another weekend to re-assemble the tt and trans and re-install them. I ran over due to some problems encountered and the parts I was replacing.

Looking back, it wasn't too bad. Halfway through you are wondering just what you were thinking. I'm happy to say that mine is working smooth and quiet with no problems or leaks since I put her back on the ground. My total cost for the tt and converter bearings, seals, fluids and etc associated with just the torque tube were less than $300. (I also replaced the axle's, brakes, cooling lines, fuel filter, and several other things that brought this price way up though.) I would rather replace a lot more things on my car than pay some 20 yr old with a book to do the minimum.

"You can do it!" (Sorry, Adam Sandler fan!)

Good luck

Dave

<img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />

Michael Handreck

I just ripped the TT apart on my GTS...

However, my mechanic managed to remove the TT assembly without taking off wheels, AT, diff and so on - the trick is apparently to loosen the AT at its mounting points - the TT can then be "liberated".
Maybe this applies to older 928 models with AT as well... Just my $0.02

Nicole

Michael:

You confirm what I had heard: On a 928 you can replace the torque tube without removing the transmission, while on the 944/968 you have to take the transmission off.

Now I'm not a mechanic, and I will never attempt to do this, but I was suprised to hear the $3-4k estimates. My first 928 had a torque tube rattle, and a reputable, experienced shop, offered to replace it with a rebuilt unit for about $1500 including labor. That was about 5 years ago, but I doubt the cost has doubled since then.

Now, if you combine this with other transmission work, it might look entirely different...

Erik - Denmark

Michael,
Did you see how he did?
I think the only way must be to remove the clutch housing, as descried in SM II page 30-22
Or maybe the TC front part, but I doubt that's possible

User 4221

Here's what I paid in March for my '81

TT: $500 from 928 Intl.
Labor: 16 Hours at $75 --- $1200
Shifter parts: $50

Total: $1750

Any 928 mech. worth his salt, should be able to get it done in 2 days.

Hope this helps,
Scott