Corvette
C5/C6 Torque Tube Installation
1. Remove the two – M6 x 20mm bolts that hold the slave cylinder
to the
transmission/torque tube. Remove
the factory bearing assembly as shown in photo 1.
photo
1
2.
Install the RAM collar using the factory bolts or supplied RAM M6
– 20mm bolts as shown in photo 2.
Use a small drop of blue loctite on the bolts.
Align the collar so that the 5/16 locating stud hole is towards
the bottom.
photo
2
3.
Install the locating stud as shown in photo 3 using a drop of
blue loctite on the threads. NOTE:
78175 Ford applications may require trimming this stud to length.
You must make sure it will not contact the clutch cover when the
transmission is installed.
photo
3
4.
Place 2 or 3 of the conical shims over the collar as seen in
photo 4. We will measure
later with the bearing in place to determine how many shims are needed
for the final installation.
photo
4
5.
On the bearing housing, install the 2 – 1/8 pipe to #3 45
degree fittings. Use a
thread sealant on the pipe end. Tighten
the fittings and angle the –3 ends slightly towards the rear of the
transmission/torque tube (see photo 5).
6.
Slide the bearing onto the collar as shown in photo 5. Make sure the anti-rotation slot is located on the stud.
photo
5
7.
Now you must measure to determine how many shims will be required
for proper bearing clearance. This
is critical – adjusting the bearing too close to the clutch fingers
may cause premature slippage. Adjusting
too far away may result in non-release and cause you to remove the
transmission or torque tube again. Measure from the bearing face (fully
retracted) to the face of the torque tube.
Use a straight edge across the front of the bearing and dial
calipers to measure so you get an accurate number.
This operation may require assistance to hold the straight edge.
Check this several times and record the number. (see photo 6)
photo
6
8.
Measure the position of the clutch fingers.
Using the straight edge, lay it across the face of the
bellhousing where the torque tube bolts up, and measure down to the
clutch fingers (see photo 7). Again,
check this measurement several times to make sure you are getting an
accurate number.
photo
7
9.
Now use the measurements you took to verify position of the
bearing. See the following
example:
Example
bearing measurements
Clutch
fingers to bell measurement:
2.392”
Bearing
height with 2 shims:
2.220”
Bearing
height with 3 shims:
2.370”
So
in this example, the installed gap would be:
With
2 shims:
2.392 – 2.220 = .172” gap
With
3 shims:
2.392 – 2.370 = .020” gap
The
total potential movement of the bearing on the collar is .850”.
In selecting the proper shims, you must make sure to allow
enough room for the clutch to wear, and also allow enough forward
travel (roughly .500”) without hitting the front stop on the
bearing. By using two
shims in this example, we are .192” off the fingers.
This will allow for adequate wear clearance as the fingers
move back. RAM recommends a minimum of .125 and max. of .175”
clearance.
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10.
Install the two 90 degree ends of the braided lines on the
bearing as shown in photo 8.
11.
Photo 9 shows the proper routing of the hydraulic lines. The lines cross over each other and exit the torque tube/bellhousing.
Install the tie wrap at a point 180 degrees opposite the exit
holes. The top outlet on the bearing is your bleeder connection; put
the bleeder fitting in the hose end now to keep track of this.
Routing the lines in this manner will allow the bearing
carrier/housing to move forward and back without any interference with
the clutch assembly.
12.
At this point you are ready to re-install the torque
tube/transmission housing. On
the C5 Corvette we have a bonus in that the bottom of the bellhousing is
removable. This allows you
to verify bearing clearance and release before completing the install
(see photo 10). Re-install
the torque tube/transmission, carefully routing the lines through the
openings so as not to crimp them.
13.
RAM provides an adapter fitting to connect from the bearing to
the factory master cylinder. Connect
the feed end of the #3 line from the bearing to the #3 end of the
adapter. Connect the other
end of the adapter to the factory quick disconnect line from the master
cylinder.
14.
Route the bleeder line so you have access to the screw and bleed
the system. Use only dot 3
brake fluid.
15.
Check for proper release BEFORE reinstalling the bellhousing
cover, if possible.
16.
Make SURE that all hydraulic lines are routed away from
any heat sources and securely tied.
Use heat wrap if necessary.
photo
8
photo
9
photo
10
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