The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Torque tube modification? Will this work?

This is my first time dealing with and learning about the torque tube set up on my 50 chevy 3100. I'm getting ready to install my rebuilt 59 235 and my rebuilt 50 chevy 3 speed. I'm picking up a new u joint tomorrow and I was reading some details about the torque tube set up. It is my understanding that the u joints in these trucks originally did not have needle bearings, they had bushings and they were lubricated by the oil contained inside the torque tube. My question is this, If I can get u joints for this torque tube that have needle bearings, why would I need the oil in the torque tube? Would this thing operate like a regular driveshaft if the u joints were upgraded? Please educate me further on this matter? My torque tube looks kind of beat up on the inside of the pivoting part where I have to figure out the seals and shims ordeal once I get the seals latter this week. I'm concerned that this thing is going to be a nasty, dripping issue on my completely clean truck.

Hardshell

Short answer is yes you need oil in there. Even with needle bearings. One pint of oil to be exact. The marks are likely from a loose clip flipping around in there.

Get the shim kit and follow the shop manual of installing it. That's the best luck I've had. Heck you live close enough I can come by and help, but April is pretty busy!

Both yokes of the u joint are supported by bronze bushings....one in the tube and the other in the back of the tranny. Lack of lubrication to these bushings is where u joint trouble starts IMO.

If you will be using the torque-tube, you cannot avoid oil reaching the enclosed u-joint. The oil in the u-joint housing comes from the transmission.

Not to hijack this in any way,,where did you get your U-joint from?
I have tried to get one for about a year now so if you found a source let us know.

From what you are saying Tim, there is no transmission seal that keeps the oil in the gear box separate from the u joint area, right? I don't like the design but I cant change now. I have been spending large sums of money and it is time to get this thing running.

It turns out that someone at the auto parts store was sadly mistaken. I have no u joint source yet Steve but I called my engine builder today and he told me about a place that might be able to make them or possibly have the correct part available. I'll be sure to share this source if all goes well tomorrow and I get the u joint that fits this thing.

Unless the seal is bad in the top of the torque tube the oil is not lost out of the ball where the U joint runs, so any excess runs back in the tranny. If the seal is bad at the top of the torque tube, then oil leaks into the differential and it becomes overfilled.....

John

There is a u-joint available on e-bay right now. Looks like new/old stock. Sit down before you look at the cost. $165

Thank you John for more insight on how oil is supposed to flow ( and not flow in the drivetrain) I'm starting to see the whole picture. I ordered a new seal for the torque tube to keep oil away from the rear. I also ordered a tool to get that thing out but the tool is back ordered. I should know this truck pretty well by the time I get to turn the key and make something happen!