Difference in aluminum vs. steel torque tube?

[heimue]

I finally had the chance to mount the heavy duty center support bushings (from OGTS) in my 1.9 Kadett, and with the center support put together I run into problems. The center line of the torque tube doesn't align with the center support part anymore. I don't have a clue why this is happening. When I first saw the misalignment, I measured the length of the bushings versus the original ones, and they are the same length of 39.5mm.
I already milled off 1 mm on each side of the block welded on to the torque tube, to shorten the distance. This is the situation you see in the pics. I can't mill off any more, there won't be enough thread left. One thing comes to my mind while I'm typing: The used center support sheet metal part was formerly used on an aluminum torque tube. Are the connections from an aluminum and steel torque tube in fact different?

Dieter

[guyopel]

The center support was smaller on the alum. tube than on the steel tube support . HTH
John

[BQS4]

I agree with John, as I had to do some repair work on both types of tubes. The center carrier is the same "looking", but, as you have found there is a difference.

[heimue]

$h**. I learn something new every once in a while, whether I like it or not

Thanks guys!

Dieter

[BQS4]

Dieter;
If you don't have a correct one, I might.

[heimue]

Originally Posted by BQS4 Dieter; If you don't have a correct one, I might.

The reverse-gear-thing taught me to 1.) check and 2.) talk, so instead of just saying I use the one from my parts car I first squeezed underneath it. The center support is completely rusted through . So, Gene or anybody else, if you have one in good condition please let me know. What I need exactly is the sheet metal part from the center support, fitting to a 1.9 Kadett (the GT might have the same one?) for a steel torque tube. Pictured is the one for an aluminum torque tube. If you need it let me know. Black powdercoated, like new

Dieter

[heimue]

Well, this has not been resolved yet. Gene sent me a center mount from a Manta (THANK YOU GENE!!!), and the torque tube mounting area is exactly the same size as on my Kadett part. That leaves these options:

1. The aluminum and steel center supports are not different, but similar in size. Implausible, since John and Gene obviously have their experiences already.
2. The heavy-duty rubbers from OGTS are off (too long). Implausible, since somebody else should have realized that already earlier.
3. The Manta center support from Gene was for an aluminum torque tube. Did Mantas come with that?
4. I'm paranoid and there needs to be a 10mm off-center placement from the torque tube and the center support, as my pics in the first post show. With having paranoia as an option, I better don't make this a poll...

Any input from the community?

Dieter

[blancojp]

Originally Posted by heimue Well, this has not been resolved yet. Gene sent me a center mount from a Manta (THANK YOU GENE!!!), and the torque tube mounting area is exactly the same size as on my Kadett part. That leaves these options: The aluminum and steel center supports are not different, but similar in size. Implausible, since John and Gene obviously have their experiences already. The heavy-duty rubbers from OGTS are off (too long). Implausible, since somebody else should have realized that already earlier. The Manta center support from Gene was for an aluminum torque tube. Did Mantas come with that? I'm paranoid and there needs to be a 10mm off-center placement from the torque tube and the center support, as my pics in the first post show. With having paranoia as an option, I better don't make this a poll... Any input from the community? Dieter

Yes, some of us that know you agree with the paranoia infection issue.

I believe the correct resolution to be, and I will go the distance on this one, get the right kit!!

I had the same problem with the white '72 GT and ended up trimming the rubber side of the bushings until the tube aligned. The top and bottom bushings were replaced with energy-suspension poly units from a 4x4 Jeep.
So I had two black bushings and two red bushings but the alignment was perfect.

[hrcollinsjr]

Unless I'm badly mistaken the center supports for the Kadett and GT are the same. The Manta, Sportwagon, and 1900/Ascona are the same. There were two versions of the 50 Series with the Al version only being used in '75 model cars. I've seen a '75 model or two that did not have the Al tube, so they had either been replaced or not all '75's had one. Some time ago the Al tube was mentioned and at that point I didn't know there was such a thing.
When I've installed the torque tube bumpers I have always had to compress them some. The later model HD or poly ones that OGTS sells now are even harder to install.

Harold