torque tube,, what is it?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Its essentially a high speed driveshaft. It turns at the Engine rpm directly from either the clutch or the crankshaft, directly to the transmission. Since the trans is in the rear, its the only way to get the engine power back there.
Picture is of a C-6 but the setup is the same or similar to that of the C-5
Picture is of a C-6 but the setup is the same or similar to that of the C-5
Last edited by dgrant3830; Jan 24, 2011 at 10:06 AM. Reason: add picture
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
There are bearings inside and torque tube couplers. The usual failures are the couplers but it depends on how it was driven too. My '99 has over 300K miles and the original couplers are still in there with no slop. What symptoms are you having?
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Jeddah
i hear a rattle in the shifter area over 4k rpm,,
what bearings and couplers if the tube doesn't rotate?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Its not the tube that rotates...its the high speed shaft inside. The shifter rattling a little is fairly common. The torque tube does two things; it is part of the structure of the car and is designed to help limit twisting of the body under high-torque conditions. It also houses the driveshaft which is turning at "full" engine rpm therefore think of it screaming along at 5k rpm right there next to your side while you are punching the gas. You wouldn't want to shaft to break or go lose without being contained, when its right next to you.
Last edited by dgrant3830; Jan 24, 2011 at 10:03 AM. Reason: added comments
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 553
Likes: 2
From: Jeddah
Its not the tube that rotates...its the high speed shaft inside. The shifter rattling a little is fairly common. The torque tube does two things; it is part of the structure of the car and is designed to help limit twisting of the body under high-torque conditions. It also houses the driveshaft which is turning at "full" engine rpm therefore think of it screaming along at 5k rpm right there next to your side while you are punching the gas. You wouldn't want to shaft to break or go lose without being contained, when its right next to you.
doesn't any other drive shaft run at full engine speed?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Yes, the bearings and couplers there are for the driveshaft inside the torque tube assembly. The only other shaft that runs at full engine rpm is the crankshaft inside the engine along with all the various engine components and accessories on the engine. Now as you are going through the gears, the output shaft from the trans to the differential will speed up and slow down as needed, as well as the half-shafts out of the differential to the wheels.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
From what I've read in here only, no personal knowledge of a failure, people have looked at the torque tube couplers for shuddering in the rear of the car. Using good old backyard mechanical testing, get the rear wheels up on jackstands, fronts blocked of course, someone you trust in the driver's seat, turn off the active handling and traction control and run the speed up....see what shakes and listen.
