What are the signs of a worn Torque Tube?
07-29-2003, 11:13 AM
#1
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What are the signs of a worn Torque Tube?
I have a strange sound coming from that area, it sounds like the bearings in the torque tube are dry at low speeds.. any ideas?
07-29-2003, 12:03 PM
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When my torque tube went bad, it made a rhythmic squeak when idling and at very low speeds. And the beat of the sound increased as you increased the revs, up to about 1500.
If you hear the sound while the car is standing still, and it comes and goes when you push the clutch, then it’s either the torque tube bearings, the input shaft of the transmission or something in the clutch. To eliminate the transmission, pull the large plastic cover off the transmission bell housing to expose the transmission coupler. Undo the coupler (the bolts have to come all the way out) and disconnect the transmission from the torque tube by sliding the coupler all the way back onto the transmission shaft (make sure it’s fully disconnected from the torque tube shaft). Now start the car and let the clutch out. If you still hear the sound, then it’s not the transmission.
I was also able to feel the bad bearings in the torque tube by turning the drive shaft by hand while the coupler was disconnected and someone was pressing in the clutch.
Unfortunately replacing the torque tube is a big job, involving dropping the transmission and the rear suspension. If you search the archives you’ll find a number of discussions on the topic.
If you hear the sound while the car is standing still, and it comes and goes when you push the clutch, then it’s either the torque tube bearings, the input shaft of the transmission or something in the clutch. To eliminate the transmission, pull the large plastic cover off the transmission bell housing to expose the transmission coupler. Undo the coupler (the bolts have to come all the way out) and disconnect the transmission from the torque tube by sliding the coupler all the way back onto the transmission shaft (make sure it’s fully disconnected from the torque tube shaft). Now start the car and let the clutch out. If you still hear the sound, then it’s not the transmission.
I was also able to feel the bad bearings in the torque tube by turning the drive shaft by hand while the coupler was disconnected and someone was pressing in the clutch.
Unfortunately replacing the torque tube is a big job, involving dropping the transmission and the rear suspension. If you search the archives you’ll find a number of discussions on the topic.
07-29-2003, 12:20 PM
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Porsche specialist in the UK rebuilds them for $400 but shipping will be to expensive I guess. Try find someone who does it in the States.
They usually make whining sound when packing up. Lift the car and listen to it whit a stethoscope. That will point out the problem nicely. (BTW This is not a joke)
They usually make whining sound when packing up. Lift the car and listen to it whit a stethoscope. That will point out the problem nicely. (BTW This is not a joke)
07-29-2003, 10:48 PM
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I've seen several cases of "weird" vibrations or noises that eluded diagnosis, but when everything other than the tube was eliminated, it was the tube. The bearings are place at intervals that correspond to the maximum aplitude points when the shaft starts to vibrate during acceleration. If a bearing is going, you could get noise, vibrations at certain rpm and no other, or both. You could get a rebuilt, or you could get an aluminum one from me 
