Torsion bar slight bow?

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F

FWest

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So I'm rebuilding the front end on my 1972 Plymouth Scamp. I noticed after cleaning the torsion bar is not strait 100%. From what I can find (google). It seems that these stock bars were not always perfectly strait.

Had not planned on replacing them but when sitting flat on the concrete floor the middle does slightly touch the floor. Assuming they should be replaced.

Options, size, vendor ? Kantor has 1.03" ?

FW

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if it works it works
so it comes down to are you comfortable knowing that it has a slight bend?

id be checking the opposite side of the bend for witness marks

was this just sloppy factory part? or did it land and support the weight of the car on a big rock and get bent after the day it was made

Dave
 
FWest said:
So I'm rebuilding the front end on my 1972 Plymouth Scamp. I noticed after cleaning the torsion bar is not strait 100%. From what I can find (google). It seems that these stock bars were not always perfectly strait.

Had not planned on replacing them but when sitting flat on the concrete floor the middle does slightly touch the floor. Assuming they should be replaced.

Options, size, vendor ? Kantor has 1.03" ?

FW

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Someone probably wrapped a chain around it to pull the car out of a snow bank. By design, I wouldn't think a bent torsion bar would work properly. Nice looking Scamp BTW.
 
The torsion bars are designed to be linier, and the lower control arm TB socket should be inline with and parrallel to the socket on the crossmember. If not the sockets will prematurely wear. could get the crossmember socket to metal fatigue and break the socket loose or the front K frame bolt tube to metal fatigue and break loose.

I would replace the TBs and I would look closely at the crossmember and K frame TB mounts.

money spent now is less money spent later!
 
So it is bent how much at the middle? From the description, it sounds like 1/8 to 1/4"? Is this a smooth bend or bow, or a sharp kink? And is the concrete floor truly flat? I would re-check these against a good straight edge, or flip them over on the concrete floor to see if the bend is in the bar or the floor.

If the bend is gradual and smooth, I'd be inclined to not worry about it. If a kink or sharp bend, then that is concerning.
 
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The passenger strut rod is bent slightly, I have replacements, but have not removed the pass side torsion bar yet. There was a massive amount of grease in the back bar mount/seal, once I get it cleaned out I'll inspect the mounts. Not a kink , just a slow bend or bow. Will post a picture after work.

If you plan on spending 1K you better set aside 2 on these older units it seems.
 
If it's very slight, that's perfectly normal. Torsion bars spend their lives twisting back and forth. It would be perfectly normal to see one that's not 100% perfect.
 
That's funny. Every question posted gets answers from every end of the rainbow and everything in-between !
But Hey, it's all good ! Here's my opinion !! If it looks like an "S" or a figure 8 I would definitely replace it ! :poke: :poke: :poke: :thumbsup:
 
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i got my 1.03s from PST... worth every penny.... but they were half the price 3 years ago also :)
 

Kanter got a few more $ from me.

Also that lower was cleaned, sand blasted and painted. Didn't come off the car looking like that.
 
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