The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Torque Tube Rebuild

I've been needing to do it for years and it's finally come down to it. The rear end in my '54 is howling and since it is a box stock rear end I know that the whole thing needs to be gone through. Question is: what's involved in rebuilding a torque tube? The howling and 'gyrating' is telling me carrier bearings but I know that if I'm going to pull it, then to do the whole thing.

Is there any outfit that sells 'kits' for rebuilding these or what?

Justin,

Most of the reproduction parts vendors sell a torque-tube rear end 3.55 ratio conversion gear set. A strongly recommended separate purchase is an installation kit. That installation kit includes all the gaskets, seals, bushings, and bewaring for a rear-end "rebuild".

If you are going to use your 3.90 ring and pinion and it looks worn/pitted, contact me (my email is in my profile).

You will need a Shop Manual for disassembly and re-assembly instructions. You will also need a dial gauge and stand to adjust the lash and gear bluing (Prussian Blue) to adjust the gear-tooth contact (pattern).

At some times you will need another person - it makes the job safer and quicker.

Good luck,
Tim

Jim Carter HP166

Patrick\'s ring & pinion installation kit

I did this torque tube rebuild last summer to my 54.

Like many other things in the 3100 54, it is distict from all the other ADs.

If you do the 355 gear swap, you will need the ring gear housing piece from an earlier AD. Patrick will tell you about this when you get ready to buy the kit.

The 54 is a 390, the earlier 3100 ADs are 411. Makes all the difference in the world on how your AD drives. Quieter, faster, cruises nicely at 60-65 mph.

Thunderman,

Did you buy one of these kits to rebuild your torque tube? And, I guess, you bought the gear set from one of the venders, too.

Thanks

If the rearend is noisy, Most likely your carrier and pinion bearings are wearing out. That is exactly what happened to me.

As Tim mentioned, get the bearing kit from one of the parts suppliers are the very least. That will take care of your noise. As for the gears, if you plan to keep the truck long term, install them. You will wonder why you waited so long in the first place.

Dennis,
If you tear into it, do the whole deal, gears and all.

clean that old tube like you would your favorite deer rifle and reassemble better than new.

I had considerable help with the gear set-up from a machinist friend.

Jim

One of the best things I did was to also put 3.55 gears in back when I decided to overhaul the back end. Since I twisted my propeller shaft one year after pulling out tree stumps, I knew I had to replace it so why not put some highway gears in there while I'm at it.

Here's a link to a few shots of my back end overhaul. Once you click on the following pic, click on the next button in the upper rh corner.


[img]http://thumb2.webshots.net/s/thumb1/7/1/35/111970135GITUnP_th.jpg[/img]

i have a 54' burb what i different about the 54' rear and the other AD'S? thanks

love the 3:55's

10 micron,

The 1954 1/2 ton rear end has a 3.90 ring and pinion set. The earlier years have a 4.11 set. A ring gear carrier from a 47-53 1/2 ton differential is needed for use of the 3.55 gear set in a 1954 rear end.

Tim