Torsion Bar Tube Collapse

[Bob Stia]

Hey All,

Yesterday the tail end of our '68 911 hit the floor. the center section of the tube is torn, rusty, twisted and shifted up and forward.

The part is NLA, even in Germany. If anyone has one "lying around", we'd love to hear from you.

We have located two wrecks with the tube intact. First is a '70 911S, which should be close to original, but may be in as bad a condition as the one which just collapsed. The second is a '79 911SC, which we are told will replace the original without any problem. The advantages to the later model tube are that it is galvanized, reinforced and thicker steel.

We have two recommendations for replacement method. First is to cut the tube between the two outside structural members, leaving the ends of the tube, structural members and mounting nuts intact, and welding the perimeter of the replacement to the old tube ends. The second method is to cut out the "bottom corner" of the structural members, including mounting nuts and tube ends. The second method would probably be more obvious and might devalue the car more.

Information from anyone who has been through this nightmare would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Bob Stia and Brett Stia

[chris_seven]

Volume 2 of the early Workshop Manual has a complete section on how to do this.

If you PM me an e-mail address I will scan it for you and send it as a PDF.

You will also need to remove the Trailing Arm Brackets from the existing tube as the LWB brackets are welded on the tube in a different position to deal with the difference in both length and hub offset. They are different to the LWB brackets and don't interchange.

The SC Tube brackets also mount the 915 transmission so again the SWB brackets will need to be fitted to correctly mount the 901 transmission crossmember.

It would be possible to remove the 'dog bone' section of the tube and fit it to a tube of the correct ID and weld it into place without too much trouble. The crimp in the centre hols this piece in place but you could drill holes around the tube and install it in this manner.

You will need to remove the seat pans to make a job of it as you will need to weld all the way round.

The job is long winded but not too difficult.

[RSTarga]

I saw an article , maybe here or on the bird of the guys at elephant racing changing one out. give them a call.

[Jim Breazeale]

A 68 911 will require a tube from a 68 or earlier. 69 and later tubes tubes will not work because of the placement and configuration of the suspension mounts.

Regards

Jim

[ajwans]

Take a look at http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...r-project.html for an expert repair.

andy

[66S]

I usually weld gussets between the torsion tube and the body near the center to keep the tube from twisting on SWB 911s. I've been welding them to the rear seat bottoms but some weld them to the rear bulkhead. Cleaning up and coating the inside of the tube should be part of any restoration.

[Jim Breazeale]

Bob

You were told " The second is a '79 911SC, which we are told will replace the original without any problem."

THAT IS TOTAL BS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Flat Six, inc.]

I wish someone would reproduce the early ones...

[Mr9146]

I wish someone would reproduce the early ones...

And this is why 912s exist...

[Jim Breazeale]

And this is why 912s exist...

Ouch!

Jim