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Old 10-09-2019, 07:41 PM   #26
Bored&Stroked
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
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Default Re: Running without a torque tube center bearing ?

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Quote:
Originally Posted by 19Fordy View Post
Another torque tube design question:
Question: Would it be possible to redesign the outer hollow torque tube by accurately cutting it in 2 pieces near the location of the center bearing and welding a steel flange on each half such that the torque tube could be bolted together (on center) like 2 pipe flanges? There would be an interlocking lip on each flange for concentricity.. That way you could have easy access to the center bearing, if needed. I realize the OEM torque tube acts like a torques arm for the entire rear end with lots of forces being generated.
The concept is fine, but I would recommend an 'alignment bar' that picked up the front inner roller bearing (snout of the driveshaft) and the centerline (maybe a coupler) of the pinion. One can ponder all day long about ones ability to cut and splice a torque tube - unless you had a way to truly align the front/rear halves, I would not volunteer to do the welding. This is especially true for a solid driveshaft that requires a bearing in the middle. On a tubular driveshaft (think 32 - 36), it is not as much of an issue as there is no bearing in the middle . . . so you can get away with a bit more misalignment in the two halves. BUT, one still wants the centerline of the front roller bearing to be in alignment to the pinion centerline.


This is no different than welding on a rear end housing - and the need to have an 'alignment bar' before you tack the housing ends in. If the centerlines are aligned, then bearings will last . . . if not, then you'll have issues.
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