Torque Tube - Application

Application

Examples of the torque tube were the American cars of the Ford brand up through 1948, which used the less expensive transverse springs that could not take the thrust.

Buick started using coil springs in the 1930s, as did Nash's 1941 '600' model; these also necessitated using a torque tube. American Motors (AMC) also continued to use a coil spring rear suspension design with a torque tube on their large-sized cars (Rambler Classic and Ambassador) through the 1966 model year. The 1961-1963 Pontiac Tempest incorporated an unusual curved “torque-tube” with a 4-inch drop (about 10 centimeters) that housed a 3/4 inch (2 cm) solid steel driveshaft (nicknamed the "rope shaft") without universal joints on each end. The main purpose was to make the floor lower, thus increasing the car's interior room. The Peugeot 504, Peugeot 505, (except estate/station wagons) and the Volvo 300 Series also used a torque tube.

The torque tube driveline is also used in Sprintcars and Midget cars. The C5 and C6 Chevrolet Corvette, Lexus LF-A, Porsche 924, Porsche 928, Porsche 944, Aston Martin DBR9, Aston Martin DBS, Aston Martin DB7, Maserati Quattroporte V, Maserati GranTurismo and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG also use variations on this design, mostly with rear-mounted transaxles.

The Czech made Tatra truck is the only full size truck using a torque tube and independent suspension on all wheels.