Tortion Bar Question

[dburnett6263]

Do Tortion Bars weaken over time? I have the factory originals in my 68 RR and the front end seems to be getting lower and lower. This was a rotisserie mild restomod restore and I did replace the rear leaf springs with Hotchkis as they were shot. did however use the original bars. Any info and recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks Dale

 

[mmissile]

Bigger front bars. Those other ones has served well, after nearly 50 years.

 

[oldbee]

48yrs on my Bee and counting. Crank up the adjuster bolts a bit; but be mindful that get.alignment may change.

 

[Rick62]

I believe failing lower control arm bushings can cause sagging. At least they did in my case.

 

[PST]

All springs loose their stiffness over time. They tend to become less stiff and more springy. So it would require adjustment or replacement. What do you currently have your ride height set at now. If it were my car I would tighten up on the adjusters some and take it for a ride and let them settle in. If the ride is good and your happy with the ride height. Then get an alignment and call it a day. If not replace the bars and if that is the case I would go with a 1' or larger bar. The car will handle better and compliment the rear springs in your resto mod. We offer 1.03" for $239 and with the forum discount they are $215 with free shipping.

Thanks
James

 

[Cranky]

All springs including torsion bar springs fatigue over time. Main thing is to make sure they have not nicks or scratches in them which can cause failure. Like mentioned, I'd crank them up a little and see how they perform. Firmer shocks can also help out the ride if it's a bit on the bouncy side. Does your car have a sway bar up front? If not, you might consider one. For a street cruiser, I like my springs to be a bit on the soft side but use bigger sway bars.

 

[dburnett6263]

All springs loose their stiffness over time. They tend to become less stiff and more springy. So it would require adjustment or replacement. What do you currently have your ride height set at now. If it were my car I would tighten up on the adjusters some and take it for a ride and let them settle in. If the ride is good and your happy with the ride height. Then get an alignment and call it a day. If not replace the bars and if that is the case I would go with a 1' or larger bar. The car will handle better and compliment the rear springs in your resto mod. We offer 1.03" for $239 and with the forum discount they are $215 with free shipping.

Thanks
James

Thanks James, I think I'll take your advice and replace them. It's lowered a bit about 24" from ground to fender above wheel. I crank them up a bit but shortly it's back to about 23 again. Passenger side bump stop is crushed against lower control arm. I have 18's front and 20's rear with fairly low profile tires so don't want it to be too stiff. If the 1.03's will give me that then it's a go. have a couple other things to do this winter so while we have it up in the air I'll see what's going on. Has new lower control arm bushings but new doesn't always mean good.

 

[SublimeSixpack]

Have you checked to make sure your cross member where the torsion bars are anchored is solid?

 

[Rick62]

Thanks James, I think I'll take your advice and replace them. It's lowered a bit about 24" from ground to fender above wheel. I crank them up a bit but shortly it's back to about 23 again. Passenger side bump stop is crushed against lower control arm. I have 18's front and 20's rear with fairly low profile tires so don't want it to be too stiff. If the 1.03's will give me that then it's a go. have a couple other things to do this winter so while we have it up in the air I'll see what's going on. Has new lower control arm bushings but new doesn't always mean good.

Have you checked your lower control arm bushings? The symptom you describe, adjusting the bars and the front sagging again in a short period of time, is exactly the symptom I had with my car. I replaced the lower control arm bushings and the problem was solved.