Torsion Bar Adjuster Failure

[1969VAGTX]

Not sure how common this is, but as we were pulling out for a test drive of some of the changes we have made on my GTX, we heard a loud "bang." The front drivers side of the car completely collapsed (see pic). It turns out that the the bolt in the torsion bar adjuster completely stripped out of the adjuster block and the car "fell down." Probably explains why the front of the car seemed to ride higher on the passenger side before the failure. Fortunately, was a relatively easy fix and we had the part already available. Anyone else have this problem before?

 

[hunt2elk]

I had that happen once when I was younger and dumber. Was cranking up the adjuster without taking the weight off the front end. Damn lucky I didn't get hurt. Scared the crap out of me though.

 

[Don Frelier]

Is that a factory adjuster bolt?
Looks like an aftermarket

 

[#41]

Always lubricate and adjust with little to no weight on them and you'll never have a problem. Of course, you never know what happened in the decades of prior ownership.

 

[WileE]

I had that happen once when I was younger and dumber. Was cranking up the adjuster without taking the weight off the front end. Damn lucky I didn't get hurt. Scared the crap out of me though.

BINGO !

 

[mtbase]

Far better than the more-common, torsion bar "twisting through" the frame!

You got lucky!

 

[toolmanmike]

Good thing they make replacement parts. The guys above are spot on. Adjusting with a rusty bolt and not unloading the suspension would be my guess as well.

 

[Darter6]

I have found that there are also standard thread T-bar bolts. The fine thread are way more common.
Rust and years of use takes it's toll.

 

[Daves69]

....The front drivers side of the car completely collapsed....

Makes the drive home a little bit more interesting, eh?
I had a '66 Charger the passenger side t-bar that snapped in two. Sounded like a M-80 went off and the right front dropped in less than a heart beat. Left turns weren't bad, but the sharper rights had the inner fender gnawing on some rubber.

 

[WileE]

Makes the drive home a little bit more interesting, eh?
I had a '66 Charger the passenger side t-bar that snapped in two. Sounded like a M-80 went off and the right front dropped in less than a heart beat. Left turns weren't bad, but the sharper rights had the inner fender gnawing on some rubber.

Had that same thing happen to me in a Dart I had in the 70's, right front, and the car was relatively new.

 

[matthon]

Project Larry - 62 Dart 440

 

[Mr. Mike]

Sold a 1967 GTX along with a running driving 67 318 parts car.
The trunk floor on the GTX was donated to another restoration(?!?)
I kept the T bars out of the donor for another project.
Really looked bad if you like slammed rides.

 

[Durandal25]

I service the adjuster bolts a few times a year just to make sure they are good.

 

[Cranky]

I service the adjuster bolts a few times a year just to make sure they are good.

What do you do to service them? I just squirt some oil on mine from time to time....

 

[toolmanmike]

What do you do to service them? I just squirt some oil on mine from time to time....

Lube and exercise. Like they do with water valves and fire hydrants. I never have but I probably should. Our old cars don't get too wet or rusty.

 

[Cranky]

Lube and exercise. Like they do with water valves and fire hydrants. I never have but I probably should. Our old cars don't get too wet or rusty.

Most of the old cars I've torn down were leaking oil or PS fluid etc so bad that they were usually 'pre-lubed' lol. The worse one was that road runner that came in from the west Texas desert after sitting out there for 30 years. Talk about rust and dirt. I guess it rains from time to time out there lol. Sprayed that thing down for a week and it was still hard to take the front end apart!

 

[Durandal25]

What do you do to service them? I just squirt some oil on mine from time to time....

Tighten and loosen while adding a few drops of gear oil.