DSS Torque Tube Coupling Help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: TX
DSS Torque Tube Coupling Help
I was wondering if anybody else has ran into this problem. I have a 1999 torque tube and decided to replace the old couplings with the DSS ones. The quality looks a lot better, but once I replaced them and tried to assemble everything back together I can't get the torque tube to go on. It's as if the DSS couplers are larger than the stock ones and won't slide in. I ordered the 10mm ones so not sure if this is common or not. I would call but it's after hours so I'm just trying to get some ideas.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 520
From: Da U.P.
The older C5 TTs are smaller than the newer ones, right? Or was it Z06 vs non, I forget, but I do know there are 2 different TTs in the C5s. Was that taken into consideration with the purchase of the coupler?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix Arizona
you might need to give a bit more info. when you took it apart did you have to pound or push very hard on the input shaft to remove the drive shaft from inside the torque tube? the input shaft bearing fits really tight in the front of the torque tube and is a little tough to put back in. I usually have to pound it in with a 2x4 
the 2001-2004 bushings are thicker. DSS may have screwed up and drilled 10 mm holes in a 2001-2004 coupler
the 2001-2004 bushings are thicker. DSS may have screwed up and drilled 10 mm holes in a 2001-2004 coupler
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Did you compare them to see if they were the same thickness and diameter?
The bolts should have been fairly snug in the holes if they were the 10mm couplers.
Let us know what you find. Both the 10mm and 12mm couplers are the same diameter (12mm is thicker) so it appears their couplers are too large to fit the early torque tube.
The bolts should have been fairly snug in the holes if they were the 10mm couplers.
Let us know what you find. Both the 10mm and 12mm couplers are the same diameter (12mm is thicker) so it appears their couplers are too large to fit the early torque tube.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: TX
I had to tap it with a rubber mallet to get the props haft out of the torque tube, but I don't see it going back in even if I used a 2x4 but I didn't actually try that yet. So is the 12mm torque tube housings bigger than the 10mm ones? The part number matches up with the 10mm ones I ordered. The DSS couplers are bigger, but I initially thought it was just because my GM ones were so worn out. I'll give them a call today and see what they say.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Yes! I ran into the same thing exactly! Its actually a quality issue on DSS's part. I have a 99 A4 that I upgraded to DDS poly couplers when doing a high stall converter.
Long story short. Its not the wrong size, the damn thing is out of round. We put the couplers on a lathe and sanded them down in the oblong areas. Then it fit alright.
Long story short. Its not the wrong size, the damn thing is out of round. We put the couplers on a lathe and sanded them down in the oblong areas. Then it fit alright.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: TX
Yeah, it looks like they are aware of this. I actually just got off the phone with them and they said to send them back in to be modified. Looks like it'll take a little longer to get my car back on the road, but at least I'll get to use them. Thanks for your help
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
They are going to do the same thing... Just do it yourself to save time!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
If you dont have a lathe available use a dial caliper and a sanding tool till you get even all around. Its time consuming. But we bypassed this hickup in a matter of an hour and got back to work. Its not rocket science, just get it round!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
On one end of your prop shaft, theres a large nut that secures the coupler flange to the torque tube. Make sure that nut is tight!!
They have been found to have backed off and allow the flange to make noise.
We took ours apart and put high strength locktight on the threads and hammered it down good and tight!
Bill
They have been found to have backed off and allow the flange to make noise.
We took ours apart and put high strength locktight on the threads and hammered it down good and tight!
Bill
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: TX
I don't have access to a lathe so I'd rather just send it in and let them be responsible for it. i guess I can think of a couple other little projects I can do in the meantime while I wait for them anyway. I have the Hinson motor mounts and a fast 102 to replace, and I'd like to clean the diff real good and replace the axle seals.
Thanks for the tip Bill, I'll be sure to check that now that I'll have the opportunity again.
Thanks for the tip Bill, I'll be sure to check that now that I'll have the opportunity again.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,439
Likes: 405
From: Portland OR
$400 for the pair and they don't fit? What?
Why in the heck would they let them out the door like that if it's a "known" problem? Gads.
Thanks for posting. I'll be replacing couplers in the next month or so.
Ron
Why in the heck would they let them out the door like that if it's a "known" problem? Gads.
Thanks for posting. I'll be replacing couplers in the next month or so.
Ron
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Thats what I said. I was pretty P.O.ed. Probably the most expensive couplers on the market from the leading authority in drive train components. We should not be going through this to get them to work.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,439
Likes: 405
From: Portland OR
I have the late A4 TT in my car now, the one with the issue. The orig A4TT is in the garage. I thought the later had the 12mm couplers.....I was wrong. So I need to source 10mm parts. I guess I better figure out what I need to buy. Stock is fine, if they are available.
Too bad the later shafts aren't 12mm, I have a nice pair of replacements that were given to me.......
Too bad the later shafts aren't 12mm, I have a nice pair of replacements that were given to me.......
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
If you've got driveline noise....Give us a call.
If you've got driveline noise....Give us a call.
We've got the parts in stock and we've got PLENTY of experience with
C5 and C6 torque Tube problems and failures.
Been thru too many of them in the past few years and I've just about seen it all....
Call any time. 914-332-0049
Chuck CoW
We've got the parts in stock and we've got PLENTY of experience with
C5 and C6 torque Tube problems and failures.
Been thru too many of them in the past few years and I've just about seen it all....
Call any time. 914-332-0049
Chuck CoW
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Just talk to them over the phone and tell them you are familiar with the bad luck others have had. Im betting they will make sure to send a good set to avoid yet another return. They really are a top of the line brand. But these damn couplers... not their best work, thats for sure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,088
Likes: 61
From: NY- 2013 Corvette Challenge Champion-2013 Index Combo Champion 2015 CC/MM Champion
St. Jude Donor '07
Yup had the same problem,But instead of making the couplers smaller and maybe weaker,I took a die grinder and made the hole bigger on the torque tube,Went right in after that 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: TX
Yeah, just make sure they modify them for you before they send them out if you are getting the 10mm ones because I'm still waiting on mine to come back. They are taking a lot longer than I expected and makes me regret not taking care of the problem myself, but luckily I have had other work going on in the shop to keep me busy while I wait.