Torsion Bar Problem

[67mopar]

Hi All:
I have adjusted ride height a couple times now , and the drivers side keeps coming down after a few drives. Can the adjusters back themselves off? can i make a small adjustment on the other side without getting another alignment? I had the bars out to rebuild front end everything is in place properly.
I know it is not the proper way but i measured from the ground to the bottom of the fender lip. Im thinking the drivers side bar is weak???
Thanks!!

 

[bigmoparjeff]

Adjusting torsion bars can be tricky. One side can affect the other more than you would think.

It's always best to measure the length of the adjusting bolt protrusion before taking anything apart, so you can get everything back to where it was.

If before you took the car apart, the driver side adjuster was bottomed out, then I'd say you had a weak bar. If the adjusters were close side to side and the car was level before, then it's a matter of just getting things adjusted properly.

Measuring to the fender lips is fine. That's how I do it. Having access to a drive up lift or alignment rack makes the process much easier.

You may want to run the adjusters to a point where they are the same length on both sides as a starting point and start fine tuning from there.

Also, the adjuster bolts don't move on their own.

Something else to ask. Did you tighten all your control arm nuts with the car at normal ride height? If you tightened things with the car off the ground, you have a lot of tension built up in the bushings and the car is slowly settling as the rubber either spins in the shells or rips apart. If you used polyurethane bushings, this part wouldn't apply.


Jeff

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

Did you tighten all your control arm nuts with the car at normal ride height? If you tightened things with the call off the ground, you have a lot of tension built up in the bushings and the car is slowly settling as the rubber either spins in the shells or rips apart. If you used polyurethane bushings, this part wouldn't apply.

Very good suggestion, Jeff. Easy mistake to make.

It seems "normal" to most folks to get everything back in place, with the arms hanging down, and tighten those shaft nuts. Even when you read the FSM it's not at all clear the reason for having full weight on the tires when you tighten 'em.

 

[cudamark]

Put a paint dab on the threads and matching area of the nut to see if the adjusting bolt is moving on you. If not, and the rest of the suspension is in order, replace the torsion bars as it looks like the questionable one is bad and may break on you.....not fun if you're going freeway speed!

 

[wyrmrider]

get some larger than.92 torsion bars from a Late C Body really makes a difference Find a SW with trailer tow of PC add a cordoba rear sway wider wheels like 15x7 PC

 

[Vinny]

Hi All:
I have adjusted ride height a couple times now , and the drivers side keeps coming down after a few drives. Can the adjusters back themselves off? can i make a small adjustment on the other side without getting another alignment? I had the bars out to rebuild front end everything is in place properly.
I know it is not the proper way but i measured from the ground to the bottom of the fender lip. Im thinking the drivers side bar is weak???
Thanks!!

Make sure you have a left and a right torsion bar. They will sag if installed on the wrong side of the car. I just watched a Master Tech video this morning.