Aligning Chevy Torque Tube with Hub Bearing

This bulletin applies to 2014-2018 Chevy Corvette vehicles. Whenever the driveline support (torque tube) is removed for any reason, special care must be taken to make sure that the propeller shaft splines are in alignment with the front hub bearing. The torque tube must be aligned with the engine bellhousing before attempting to tighten the attachment bolts.

The propeller input shaft front bearing positioning system is designed to withstand an insertion force not greater than 130 pounds of force. Using the fastening bolts as an installation method may create force above this amount, causing damage to the crankshaft thrust bearing.

When reinstalling the torque tube, the angle may be slightly off horizontally or vertically, which can make alignment difficult. DO NOT use the bellhousing bolts to draw the torque tube tight against the bellhousing. Any small amount of misalignment may cause the input splines to catch on the crankshaft, driving it forward. If the engine is started with this condition, it may cause the crank thrust bearing to be immediately worn, necessitating engine rebuild or replacement.