For years I have been a huge GM fan - my driveway is proof of that. We own a 40th, two 84's, a 96 LT1 Caprice, an S10 and a 65 Corvair. When and if we can afford a C5 it'll be there also. I am in process of fixing a buddies 98 and need the input shaft for the torque tube. According to GM this cannot be purchased without buying the entire torque tube assembly. The upgrade shaft that has been discussed on the forum comes less this part. On the 2000 and newer Vettes the part can be purchased individually - for $535 -the entire torque tube is about $1150- but my parts guy says he doesn't know what the difference is in the part from the 98 and 2000 This is an easily serviced part once the tube is out of the car. This is like telling the customer he needs to buy an entire engine when he needs only a cam. Unlike a cam there is no aftermarket supplier of this part so they have you by the short hairs. I think this is a really sad business practice. I have contacted Unidrive in Australia concerning buying just this part and the gentleman told me he would look into the availability as soon as possible. At present they are on summer/Christmas break for 3 weeks so he is unable to find out if this part can be purchased directly. My buddy is on a fixed income and can hardly afford to replace the entire assembly so I reinstalled the suspension and pushed it out of my garage. Its been down now for a month - thank God its winter. Sorry for the long winded rant but this really honks me off! If anyone knows of a machine shop that is capable of making this part please let me know.

Scott :rant:

 

Did you consider buying a used part? I have seen many Torque Tube assemblies for sale at the various Corvette Used Part Dealers. At Carlisle Steve Arcola had over a dozen assemblies for sale! I bet you can get them for 50% or less than new.

:steering: :steering: :steering: :steering:

 

Try http://www.geneskarshop.com/ he might be able to help you out, give him a call 1-866-200-9133 :cheers:

 

Your post doesn't say if your working with an automatic or manual...?

 

Thanks for the tips- its a 6spd and the input shaft is slightly bent. He had the trans input shaft replaced 2 years ago when it broke on a launch.

Thanks; Scott

 

I would also recommend checking with some of the used parts vendors. Some advertise in the Vette magazines - ou should be able to get the part much cheaper this way.

 

I bought a complete new torque tube assembly from Shaun Carter for $600. Email him valvegod@aol.com.

Btw, you cannot swap the 2000-2004 shaft into the 97-99 torque tube. I know as I have both sitting in my garage right now.

Eric

 

Hello Eric,

I e-mailed Unidrive and they stated that you can swap the new drive shaft into the old torque tube see thread link http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=703618

What issues did you run into?

 

They are wrong. In 2000 they changed the rear bearing assembly and the housing is no longer two piece, the shaft is held in with a giant c-clip in the back. The original 99 from my car has a two piece housing where it mates to the transmission and it is held in by bolts.

So you can drop in the newer shaft in a 2000, but not a 97-99. My GM parts guide confirms this. I will take a picture of the difference and post it before I install the new one in the car.

Eric

 

Hello Eric,

I have not had a chance to look at the parts break out of both shafts….but I believe you can swap all the bearing components from the cover with the snap ring into your bolt style cover.

Basically, gutting the snap ring cover and installing the new prop shaft with the bearings into you bolt style cover.

 

Eric;

Thanks for the tip - I'll contact Shaun Carter and see if he can still get tube at that price. That is about 1/2 my cost from GM!

Thanks again; Scott