Torque Tube Removal, Rebuilding, and Installation

Overview

This guide walks you through removing, rebuilding, and reinstalling the torque tube on a Porsche 944 S / S2 with a 16v engine. The torque tube connects the engine to the transaxle, transferring power to the rear wheels. This process is essential for maintenance or repair of the drivetrain components, such as replacing worn bearings or addressing vibrations.

Pink and blue text represents links to additional resources, tools, parts, and partner websites.

Tools Required

• Metric wrench set
• Metric socket set
• Jack stands (6 minimum)
• Floor jack
• 8mm (5/16 inch) Cheesehead socket (12-point internal or triple square socket)
• Transmission jack (optional but recommended)
• 6-foot long 1/2 inch (13mm) steel plumbing pipe
• Large hammer
• 6-foot long 3/4-10 threaded rod
• Five 3/4-10 nuts
• Two thick flat washers (fit inside torque tube)
• Flat bar or spacer with 1-inch (25mm) hole
• Impact wrench (optional)
• 13mm wrench
• Hydraulic press (for bearing installation)
• Plastic mallet
• Ball peen hammer

Parts Required

• Torque tube bearing assemblies (FAG 6006 2Z) – 944 116 080 00 (4 required)
• Inner sleeves (if not reusing originals, custom fabricated from Delrin plastic)
• Loctite anti-seize lubricant – 944 000 043 00

Required Additional Procedures

Steps in these procedures are required to complete this process:

• Transaxle Removal
• Transaxle Installation

Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: Prepare the Vehicle

1. Slightly loosen the lug nuts on both rear wheels using a 19mm (3/4 inch) wrench.
2. Raise the vehicle using a floor jack and secure it on at least 6 jack stands.
3. Remove both rear wheels by fully unscrewing the lug nuts.

Step 2: Remove the Exhaust System

4. Locate the exhaust flange at the exhaust manifolds (specific to the S / S2’s 16v engine).
5. Unbolt the exhaust system from the flange using a 13mm wrench and remove it from the vehicle.

Step 3: Remove the Transaxle

6. Follow this link to ensure this step – Transaxle Removal – of the process is followed accurately.
7. Remove the shifter rod from the transaxle using a 13mm wrench.

Step 4: Lower the Rear Suspension

8. Place jack stands or blocks under the rear swing arms for support.
9. Remove the two front bolts (one per side) securing the rear suspension to the chassis using a 17mm wrench.

10. Remove the four bolts (two per side) halfway up the wheel arch and the two bolts (one per side) at the top of the wheel arch using a 13mm wrench.

11. Loosen the bottom shock mount bolts on both sides with a 17mm wrench.

12. Disconnect any wires or brake lines as needed to lower the suspension without damage.

13. Lower the rear suspension onto blocks, noting that brake lines may limit movement—disconnect if necessary.

Step 5: Remove the Torque Tube

14. Remove the four bolts connecting the torque tube to the clutch housing using a 13mm wrench.
15. Disconnect the torque tube carriers by removing their bolts with a 13mm wrench.
16. Lower the torque tube and slide it toward the rear of the car, rotating it 180° if it has “dog ears” (late-model S / S2 design).

Step 6: Disassemble the Torque Tube

17. Measure the distance from the transmission end of the drive shaft to the bellhousing end of the torque tube and note it down.
18. Slide a 6-foot long 1/2 inch (13mm) steel plumbing pipe over the pilot diameter at the front of the drive shaft.
19. Use a large hammer to pound the drive shaft out toward the bellhousing side.

Step 7: Remove the Bearings

20. Assemble a puller: Slide a thick washer and two locked 3/4-10 nuts onto a 6-foot 3/4-10 threaded rod.

21. Insert the rod into the bellhousing end of the torque tube.

22. Place a flat bar (with a 1-inch/25mm hole) or spacer on the front end of the rod, followed by a washer and nut.
23. Lock two more 3/4-10 nuts together at the front end of the rod.
24. Hold the nut against the flat bar with a 13mm wrench and spin the locked nuts counterclockwise with an impact wrench (or manually) to pull out all four bearings.

Step 8: Rebuild the Bearing Assemblies

25. Unstake and remove the rubber-coated inner sleeves from the old bearings (FAG 6006 2Z).
26. Press out the old bearings from their carriers using a hydraulic press.
27. Press new bearings (944 116 080 00) into the carriers.
28. Reuse intact original sleeves or install new custom Delrin sleeves, pressing them into the bearings with a hydraulic press.

Step 9: Reinstall Bearings and Drive Shaft

29. Mark the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th bearing locations inside the torque tube based on shaft marks.
30. Apply Loctite anti-seize (944 000 043 00) inside the torque tube.
31. Install the 2nd bearing from the front using the threaded rod puller, then the 1st bearing.
32. Install the 3rd and 4th bearings from the rear end.
33. Insert the drive shaft (transmission end first) from the front, tapping it with a plastic mallet until it contacts the 4th bearing.
34. Use a 1/2 inch (13mm) x 2 inch (50mm) pipe over the pilot end and a ball peen hammer to drive the shaft to the recorded depth.

Step 10: Reinstall the Torque Tube

35. Slide the torque tube back into the vehicle, rotating it 180° if it has dog ears, then rotate it back to normal orientation when near the clutch housing.
36. Move the torque tube forward until the drive shaft engages the clutch disc and the flange meets the housing, then support it with a jack stand.
37. Install the four bolts securing the torque tube to the clutch housing, tightening to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs).
38. Reattach the torque tube carriers with their bolts, tightening to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reassemble the Vehicle

39. Raise the rear suspension and secure all bolts (front, wheel arch, and top) to 85 Nm (63 ft-lbs).
40. Reattach the lower shock mounts, tightening to 50 Nm (37 ft-lbs).
41. Reconnect any disconnected brake lines or wires.
42. Follow this link to ensure this step – Transaxle Installation – of the process is followed accurately.
43. Install the rear wheels and tighten lug nuts to 130 Nm (96 ft-lbs).

Post Procedure Checklist

• Check for any leaks around the torque tube or transaxle.
• Ensure the drive shaft spins freely with no binding.
• Verify the rear suspension is secure and aligned.
• Test drive the vehicle for 5 miles (8 km) to confirm smooth operation.

Sources

• Clark’s Garage
• Pelican Parts
• Porsche 944 Workshop Manuals
• Youtube