shortening a torque tube

T

therislm@juno.com

Junior Member
I am shortening a torque tube for my Ford hot rod. It has a 1939 trans and a 37 rear axle in a 1932 frame.
I tacked the tube together after shortening it and installed it without a drive shaft inside. It fits but is very snug. I can move the tube up and down but there is no play. Should there be a little play ? Will the motion of the rear axle cause a bind? Any help would be appreciated. I can either shorten the tube a little more or move the rear cross member back a little as it is also only tacked in place. Thanks for any help Dave Miller
 
Hi Dave. I have modified several tork tubes. The transmission Ujoint ball is in a predetermined location. Same as the rear Xmember. The '37 banjo will be larger in diameter than the '32. If you are using the "32 tork tube, it will require shorting about 9/16". Questions: Where did you cut the tork tube to shorten it? I don't understand your saying there is no play. There is no "play" front to back, or side to side. The bell of the tork tube bolts directly to the back of the transmission with the Ujoint ball between them. This provides a hinge effect at the ujoint. No play. Hope this helps.
 
Try the HAMB, the members over at our sister site (hot rods) will be up to speed on this.
 
The rear axle affects a pretty good force to the tube and therefore up to the contact area on the U-joint housing when the vehicle is under operational driving conditions. This is the reason the early Fords had the steady rods connecting the rear of the engine block to the transmission mount. The rear spring should be in good alignment when the torque tube is making contact with the u-joint housing. If it is too far forward or aft, you should notice some misalignment with the spring in the rear crossmember or connecting shackles. If it is forcing it too far aft and binding the spring action, then you should shorten it. I wouldn't worry about tight contact with the U-joint housing as long as every thing functions as it should and appears to be in correct location.
 
Thanks for the help. I used a 37 torque tube. I think my set up will be Ok. I can get the rear spring to go into the rear cross member pretty easily. Dave
 
The main thing to watch when you shorten a torque tube is the drive shaft alignment. The driveshaft is held rigid on the pinion shaft and if the front bearing is not aligned the shaft will bend on each turn and can fail or vibrate. Make sure that you can install the front bearing with out forcing it.

John
 
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