The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Multiple holes in top of torque tube

Hi All,

I have a 1947 second series 3100 with an original driveline (3-speed floor shift, torque tube/axle, etc.)

The ball joint and collar are off of the drive shaft and I've noticed two holes at the upper end of the torque tube, both in the neck down region that the ball housing rides on; both on the 'upper' surface of the torque tube; both about 3/8" in diameter.

The forwardmost hole appears to be contained/covered by the ball housing neck. It also appears to be filled, possibly a set screw or peened material to locate the drive shaft bushing?

The second hole is about 6" rear of the first, maybe 3" forward of the diameter transition neckdown of the torque tube. It is open, and would be outside of the ball housing and ball housing collar.

My questions are:
1) Is the forward hole related to the driveshaft bushing?
2) What is the rear hole? A second vent? A missing set screw hole? Something else?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Best regards,

Bill

Hello Bill,

See the picture at the bottom of the page on this link:

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1948_51truck/51ctsm0405.htm


It sounds to me like you are describing the pin locations for the drive shaft bushings. There were originally a front and a rear drive shaft bushing. In the earlier torque tubes there was a pin holding each of these in place and the pins were peened in place (Later torque tubes had press fit bushing and no pins/holes). The torque tube had a front bushing closest to the ball, then a rear bushing, then a seal behind the rear bushing.

I would guess that the bushings or seal went bad at some point and the bushings were replaced with an "okie" bushing. The okie bushing is a single longer bushing sometimes with a seal attached to the back. It is my understanding that these bushings were invented so that the bushings can be replaced with the rear axle still in the truck. With the "Okie' bushing a pin was probably only put in the front bearing spot as I don't think the okie bushing is long enough to reach the rear hole. If the rear hole is covered by the sleeve/ball I wouldnt worry about it. If the rear hole is open under the truck I would plug it so junk isnt getting down in the rear end (although maybe the original rear bushing/seal is pushed deeper into the torque tube blocking the direct path to the rear end)

1866Yellowboy,

Thank you for the explanation; it's very helpful.

Best regards,

Bill