SimpleTom

But it also appears that the torque tube also functions as an important structural
member. Is that true?

Tom

m6 c5

I would say yes, Im pretty sure it aids in torsional rigidity as the engine is trying to rotate along the same axis as the prop shaft and the transmission is being kept still by the rear axles/tires. But then again that is just how I am visualizing it in cad. It should also help with stiffness in the x and y plane too.

qwazipsycho

Talk about frustrating. Every link and every pic in this thread is broken...

grantv

Last post was 6 years ago, after that amount of time links often disappear.

leadfoot4

Rob 02

Since you resurrected the thread. Here are some pictures.







I hope it helps.

leadfoot4

Good information here, but at the risk of being over-simplistic, or just plain dumb, I thought one of the main reasons for using a torque tube, was to maintain the proper "pinion angle" between the engine and rear end. Early cars, from the 20s through the 40s, used torque tubes, and they, sure as hell, didn't have enough power to need a "self contained driveshaft loop"............

Rob 02

They have a few advantages.
Almost no torsional movement in the drive-line. Makes for a stiff chassy with less lean on acceleration.

Couples the fly wheel to the trans. Doing this with a drive shaft would be sketchy.

Like you mentioned, It reduces some of that vibration and slop.

I'm sure there are other advantages, especially with an independent suspension.


Late model Vette's with big HP could still benefit from loops on the CV shafts when racing.