Zo39

I am going to replace the torque tube couplers with new rubber parts from GM or BMW? What about checking-replacing the bearings and plastic center dowel in one of the couplers? One of the steel dowels on the prop shaft is worn out of round from the bad coupler. Thanks, TLN Zo39

NukeC5

Yes! Replace everything when you are in there! You will be pretty far into it anyways. The bearings and slinger are not that expensive and will be a great peace of mind for another 10 or so years. They will have to be pressed off and on by a trustworthy shop.
I made the call to rebuild the whole thing when upgrading to poly couplers and Im glad I did! The bearings were not an issue before, but we found allot of slop in them and they needed the replacement.

Last C5

You can get the whole kit from Turn One Steering in either GM or their kit (BMW).

And, can anyone explain to me why we need the slinger on sealed bearings??

SKF engineer

I'm not that familiar with the layout in the torque tube and it does seem redundant to have both slinger and a seal. However there are times when we use a medal ring around the shaft near the bearing to either provide protection from large debris for the seal or as a means of protecting the seal/bearing from some heat. In this case both seem odd since it is within the tube but as I stated I'm not 100% familiar with the design.

The bearings themselves should last the life of the car however it is a good idea to replace them because the grease inside of the sealed bearing has a limited life. Replacement will be cheap insurance to ensure a longer grease/seal/bearing life.

Can I ask how many miles or what noise your vette was making to make you pull the torque tube?

NukeC5

Check out RPM Transmission for a complete kit too.

Zo39

This 2001 Zo6 was bought from a insurance company as a total wreck for a drivetrain, suspension, interior donor to a 39 Chevy Coupe project. When I got it [4 months ago] all the body panels were removed and I drove it. The car ran and drove great without noise or vibration. The Torque Tube was taken apart to lenghten it 7.5". The couplers looked real bad for 58000 miles. Thanks, TLN Zo39

Last C5

Oh good grief I meant go to RPM for the rebuild kit not Turn One.
Thanks NukeC5, we old guys need a little help now and then.

willig72

Only if you want quality parts that fit and work by a company that knows what they are doing.

bontrager

I called Turn One Steering and they don't have the "kit" in question???? Said that they do not sale these parts.

Last C5

My error (see post above). I meant RPM Transmissions has the kits. I was working in the shop installing a new Turn One pump and I got my wires crossed. My apologies.

chevylad

I have the older style TT (99) and the tube itself had to enlarged a little to fit RPM's TT couplers. This is not a big deal at all since there is a lot of material there to grind, but there is another TT coupler made of polyurethane that is slightly smaller.

Zo39

I emailed RPM today and they said the rebuild kit was $375 plus shipping and included 2 couplers, 3 bearings and a slinger. I forgot to ask what type of couplers they were.

bontrager

No problem and thank you for your response.

Last C5

$375 would make them the BMW couplers. The GM couplers from RPM run the kit up to about $550. I've seen both couplers side by side and they are identicle except for the markings.