VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Supporting the Torque Tube

I'm looking for ideas about how to support the driveshaft/torque tube on my '37 when I replace the clutch.

I know that normally the car is lifted off the ground just far enough to let the rear axle drop completely on the springs. Then you support the front end of the tube with a tall jackstand or something like that while you pull the transmission out through the floor board.

In my case I do plan to have the car on a 2 post lift. I will lift the car after the transmission is out so it will be easier to remove the clutch, flywheel, and bellhousing from below.

I need to prevent the tube from dropping and the axle rotating as I lift the car. My thinking is that I should put some type of support between the frame rails that I can connect to the front of the tube.

Ideas welcome!!

Small chain wrapped around the chassis rails and held together with a bolt and nut.

Whatever you do, make sure it is safe!

Cheers, Dean

Pipe or board or rope or cable supported on both sides to hold it in place. Hooks, bungee cords, bolts (if you have holes in the bottom of the frame), c-clamps, etc. depending on what is available and handy.

Those are definitely in line with what I was thinking! I did not think this warranted some precision engineered self-supporting fabricated truss.

Thanks for the ideas.

There is no way to wrap a chain around the frame rail. There are two things that come to mind. You can cut a 2x4 just short enough to fit in between the rails and sit on the flanges. Then secure it with cedar shims on both sides. I have done this to hold the tube up when the transmission was out. I your case it would support a chain to hang the tube in.

Second is to use large clamps that go under the bottom of the frame and the ends can sit on the flange. Then you could put a chain between the clamps.

Rusty,
I Missouri, we would just us a piece of warr. (wire, to the rest of you) I like to pick a gauge of warr that leaves some element of doubt as to whether it will hold throughout the job. It adds some drama and suspense to a routine job.

Mike

Hi Mike,

I have a spool of .041” stainless steel lock warr from Harbor Freight. That should add some drama and suspense (or maybe I mean suspension).

I've used a piece of steel down spout slipped over the tube and then pulled forward to rest on cross member. You could do this after tranny is out before you raise the car.

I have used mechanics war, old welding rod, etc. Don't like bob war (as it tends to grab my hands and arms when bending it into a loop). Wrap it over a frame cross member between transmission and rear axle. Works especially well when there is not a body in the way.