Rebuilding the Opel Torque Tube! - Manta A Suspension Upgrade [EP. 6]

Vintage Opels came with a feature called a torque tube. What is a torque tube? Well, it's a tube that contains all the torque. Actually, it's meant to keep the rear axle from tilting up and down under acceleration and braking. After 49 years, I think it's time to rebuild mine! Aside from fully cleaning and re-painting everything, it's getting new heavy-duty rubber supports, a new "donut", new polyurethane mount bushings, and a new bearing.
This is just once piece of the puzzle, while I rebuild and restore the entire suspension on this unique classic car. Be sure to check out the rest of this series if you haven't already! The full playlist is here: • Opel Manta A Suspensio...
Most of the parts in this video came from Opel GT Source. I believe in supporting these specialist shops, so show them some love: www.opelgtsource.com
The replacement Toyota pinion nut was actually purchased through AutoZone as a special order. It's made by Motive Gear, part # 1510N. Correct Opel replacements are available in Europe.
For random updates and behind-the-scenes content, follow my IG: / andrewdoescarstuff
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro
0:47 - Disassembly
4:20 - Bearing Replacement
6:31 - New Donut
7:00 - Pinion Nut Installation
9:31 - Tube Mounts Removal
9:57 - Cleaning & Painting
11:37 - New Tube Mounts
12:12 - Reassembly
17:58 - Conclusion

[@jorgl.3870]

Perfect work, Andrew! Greetings from Germany

[@AndrewDoesCarStuff]

Danke!

[@ColinBarrett001]

Proper quality restoration work Andrew. Continuing good luck with it and thanks again for sharing! :)

[@AndrewDoesCarStuff]

Thank you!

[@Malcarper]

Great video series Andrew !.... Timing good too, as I am doing the very same suspension / drive train, restoration and rebuild, on my Manta A, here in the UK.

[@AndrewDoesCarStuff]

Thanks, good luck with yours!

[@l3v4rt]

Awesome video Andrew! The content as well as video production is great, it was really enjoyable to watch. Don't leave us waiting for the next episode as you did with this one! Best regards man, great work!

[@AndrewDoesCarStuff]

Much appreciated! The next one won't take as long, as the work is already done and filmed - I just have to edit! Originally this was all going to be one long video about the entire rear end, but I realized this torque tube content was already 18+ minutes and would be good on it's own. Anyway, you know all about the struggles of video, lol. Thanks for the support!

[@l3v4rt]

@@AndrewDoesCarStuff I think you did the right the seperating the two. Anyways - looking forward to it! Take care
😃

[@stephaneheimann2462]

Sacré Andrew, c‘est toujours un vrai plaisir tes vidéos !
Thank‘s man🤘🏻

[@AndrewDoesCarStuff]

Merci!

[@toomars1301]

Wonderfully inspiring! Thanks!

[@AndrewDoesCarStuff]

Glad to hear, thanks!

[@goratgo1970]

Super work and thorough Andrew, sure bet you can't wait for the payoff when done!
Really do appreciate the step by step on this, as I said I get to do all this twice.
See you have the original 13" wheels, you should also improve ride and handling
by locating wider 14" wheels with performance tires. Which isn't too tough to find
with Volkswagen's - Honda's having same bolt pattern. Keep the stock ones of course!

[@AndrewDoesCarStuff]

Thanks! It would sure be easier to find tires for 14"s! For now I am sticking with the stock wheels, and found some Vredestein Sprint Classic tires in 206/60r13. They have a nice classic look and should perform reasonably well. I'm not doing any racing or anything so it's purely for fun.

[@joell439]

👍👍😎👍👍

[@haraldekkjestol]

Awesome project Andrew! Can I ask a question about sway bar in previous video? What tread and size are the bolts holding sway bar in place each side? The big bolts screwed into the bar ends? I am struggling with it on my Ascona 1971.

[@AndrewDoesCarStuff]

Hi Harald, luckily I kept track of all those bolts, so I have notes! Those big ones for the front sway bar are M14 2.0 thread x 25mm long. Each one also has a big dished washer, 46mm OD.

[@calbackk]

Excuse me for asking, but what IS your day time job?

[@AndrewDoesCarStuff]

I'm a "digital designer" which means I put together graphics for websites and emails and such. Also do a bit of photography on the side.