Torsion bar install

[R/T]

According to the 68 Charger Dart Coronet Service Manual " The torsion bars are ÑØT interchangeable side for side . The bars are marked either left or right by an "R" or an "L" stamped on one end of the bar." Ditto for the 69 as well. No mention of front or back! It twist the same way either way!

 

[R/T]

 

[JimKueneman]

This is taken from the 72 FSM
The torsion bars are not interchangeable side for side. The bars are marked either right of left by an "R" or an "L" stamped on the end of bar. 1972 Chassis Service Manual section 2-6.
You care to explain that away?

My '68 Coronet has "L" and "R" marked on them. If they did not I would be in trouble right now!

 

[Beavis]

mine were marked with a L & R
it was the forwards and backwards that i was concerned with

 

[JimKueneman]

mine were marked with a L & R
it was the forwards and backwards that i was concerned with

My markings were to the rear

 

[PST]

I stand correct they use two part numbers. I have checked the a 72 Mopar Parts book quickly. If you look at the line listed "440 Engne All" and span over, the part number reads
2269 578-9. I quickly read that as one part number. When in fact it is 2 part numbers
2269 578 and 2269 579. The weird part is in the parts book it does not stated which is L and R and this a factory Chrysler parts book.From the research and engineering that we have done for our bars. The bars are the same left to right so a new set of bars can be put in either side, but once installed that creates a memory. So they should be marked prior to removal. That is a the main reason that we have stamped a L and R on our bars and tell customers to have the L and R facing to the rear of the car upon installation. In my opinion mopar used the same principal/idea as the bar where the same but stamped and L and R for possible future removal and service.

 

[mmissile]

Even or odd last-numeral, determine which side of the car.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Chrysler bar are not universal right or left. There is a 30 deg twist in the bar right and left. All you have to due is lay one flat on the floor one end will lay flat the other will not.
arengineering.com has a great articular on Chrysler torsion bars. At this point it should be a must read. Especially for our Performance Suspension Tech

 

[mopar 3 B]

Preset

Mopar torsion bars are preset at the factory in the direction of use. You can observe this preset by laying the bars down on a flat surface and observing how the bar is twisted. The driver’s side bars will have a 30 degree right hand twist. A passenger side bar will have a 30 degree left handed twist. Pre-setting the bars in this manner improves the load carrying capacity in the pre-set direction. But, the load carrying capacity is reduced in the other direction of twist. This is why it is so important to get the bars installed on the correct side of the car. This twist is put into the bar during fabrication and is done to strengthen the bar. If the bars are put on the wrong side, they will be loaded against the pre-set and will not be able to carry their rated load.

For those that can not find the link

 

[Bull1tt]

WHOA! I call BS! There are absolutely right and left bars. They have part number on the ends, (last three digits) odd number is left (driver) side. Even number is right hand (passenger) side.
Sometimes you can find some of the factory paint daubs used to distinguish right from left and different size bars, if you carefully clean them.

 

[Bull1tt]

2269 578-9. I quickly read that as one part number. When in fact it is 2 part numbers
2269 578 and 2269 579. The weird part is in the parts book it does not stated which is L and R and this a factory Chrysler parts book.

Holy bejesus!

 

[PST]

2269 578-9. I quickly read that as one part number. When in fact it is 2 part numbers
2269 578 and 2269 579. The weird part is in the parts book it does not stated which is L and R and this a factory Chrysler parts book.

Holy bejesus!

I would like to the apologize for my miss information in the earlier posts. I had confused myself and over thought it. What I have researched is that the part number ending in a odd number would be for the Driver side where as a even number would be passengers side.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Apology accepted. Now how many of these have been sold with the concept that 1 bar worked on both sides? How does one compensate for customer aggravation when proper product research has not been done? The ball is now in your court.

 

[PST]

That was my mistake I double checked the Blue Prints today with our forge and there is a 20 clocking designated for the L and the R sides. I had actually worked with Andy Finkbeiner on the engineering of the these bar years back and test fitting. He is the same individual that wrote the torsion bar tango that many have referenced. So I can assure you that there is no issue with our bars. They are labeled L and R and we asked when the L and R face the rear. The wheel rate on our 1.03 bars is 209lbs

 

[coloradodave]

Apology accepted. Now how many of these have been sold with the concept that 1 bar worked on both sides? How does one compensate for customer aggravation when proper product research has not been done? The ball is now in your court.[/Q

Geez, mopar3B, why not just get the hangman's rope?

 

[PST]

I'll be willing to supply the rope. My fault completely My head has been spinning as I bounce between various forums ( other forums that we sponsor besides mopar) and techs. I drop the ball and got confused.

 

[coloradodave]

No need to apologize, James. Most of us know you're a good guy and an asset to this site...

 

[Superb Bee]

I had one set that was a nightmare to remove, but out of all the cars I stripped, that is the only memorable set that fought me... In is the easy part...

 

[miller]

Heck...it only hurts once!

Several years back, ran into an ol' boy with a 64 Ply, had already busted the lower ball joint loose. Claimed the LCA slammed down so hard, almost crushed his foot!
Me? Had nothing to say. Did laugh some, driving off...

 

[Redsawacs]

Now the real question:

How do you install the bars correctly?!

What do I mean? Things I don't have knowledge of yet include the initial angle of the lower control arm when you install the bars, when do I torque the lower control arm anchor bolt? Will the preload on the preload bolt be different depending on the angle of the lower when installed?

I can not find a single video anywhere and my manual is vague at best. I know the new bushings will act as part of the rebound process and I don't want them to become overworked and damaged by doing this instaill incorrectly - Please help me understand a bit more (New mopar guy here)

My previous experience with torsion bars is a 2003 durango with the adjusters at the rear and a detailed manual with correct clocking procedures.

Thanks all,

Dan in OKC