1967 Dart Convertible Trunk Spring Support

[Dana67Dart]

Hi all,

I finally found out why my trunk would not stay open. Turns out it is not the spring it is the stamped metal trunk spring/hinge support on both sides has broken (metal fatigue) where the springs pass through. I have a general idea how the metal needs to be welded back together but was hopping for a photo from one that is OEM and intact. Note the Convertible stamping is unique, the hard top, coupe and 4 door use a different stamped metal part for the trunk spring/hinge support. One good photo straight on maybe with a tape measure in the field of view would be great.

Thanks in advance

 

[Mopar Tim]

I will get picture tomorrow.

 

[Dana67Dart]

I will get picture tomorrow.

Thanks. That would be great.

 

[Dana67Dart]

Any progress on a photo of the trunk support?

Thanks

 

[RedFish]

Pic from 67 B'cuda vert. I don't know why they wouldn't be all the same in this torsion spring support area. Vert is different in other areas due to how/where it sits on the wheel house. Hope this helps

 

[RedFish]

So these are different right hand and left hand? One weaker than the other due to shape of cutaway? That's all I can offer.

 

[carfreak6970]

In my signature is the link to my 67 Dart coupe restoration. Had a similar issue that you had with the metal fatigue. I also have a 68 dart convertible if you need any more pictures.

 

[Dana67Dart]

Odd. Your bracket looks different than mine. It might be that mine is of the the passenger side and your is of the drivers side. I never looked if there was a difference. My dart was built in Jan 1967 (mid production year) I wonder if the stamping was altered at some point? I will look at the drivers side when I get home and see it looks like yours.

Thanks for the photos. I would be more than happy for any other photos you want to send my way.

 

[RedFish]

Odd. Your bracket looks different than mine. It might be that mine is of the the passenger side and your is of the drivers side. I never looked if there was a difference. My dart was built in Jan 1967 (mid production year) I wonder if the stamping was altered at some point? I will look at the drivers side when I get home and see it looks like yours.

Thanks for the photos. I would be more than happy for any other photos you want to send my way.

I held the camera at middle of trunk and pictured left and right brackets. I can't say which pic is which now.
Since the Barracudas dutchman panel is a little higher than Dart, these supports might be trimmed shorter in Dart.

 

[Dana67Dart]

I get the difference now, your photos are of a Barracuda. That explains the difference with the dart. I have seen many different shapes for the holes the rods to through. If you don't mind taking a photo of the 68 dart convertible that would be great.

 

[RedFish]

That ^ is the kind of help you needed. Sorry I added some confusion before.
So after getting that broken hole somewhere near round again you could beef it up, weld a heavy flat washer over it. I had to do exactly that where a bucket seat base frame had cracked through a stamped hole. Good luck with it.

 

[carfreak6970]

Dana67Dart,

If you dont mind waiting, I could have the picture to you by Monday or Tuesday. Wont be with the car this weekend.

 

[Dana67Dart]

I am very patient... ;^)

I was figuring to get the metal back to the correct shape and then fab a plate to weld behind it or reinforce it as you suggested. I just wanted to make sure I was putting it back together in the right shape before welding!

Thanks again for your help.

 

[carfreak6970]

Dana67Dart,

So thanks for the reminder!! I ended up putting it in my phone so I would remember to actually take pictures hahaha. I couldnt remember what side you were after, so I took pictures of both. All of these pictures are taken from the point of view where you are at the center of the car looking outward. So these are pics of the inner side of these braces. First the driver side:

Now for the passenger side:

Hope this helps

 

[Dana67Dart]

You are a life saver! I would have tried to tie two parts together that didn't belong together. Cant wait to get in there now and get it back together. Yours look factory new, I wonder what the secret is to not having them get so beaten up?

 

[carfreak6970]

There is really no way for me to personally confirm this, but I believe the trunk torsion bar supports were different for 67 compared to 68. Because my 67 dart had this problem and thought it was odd, my old man has never seen this issue come across the shop floor when he worked at a dodge dealership. And seeing that your 67 is having a similar issue, may show they had a production/quality issue with the support stampings or the design itself in 67.

Two cars out of how many were produced is by no means statistically significant, but does get one thinking.

 

[Dana67Dart]

There might have been greater flange in the later stamping which might have reinforced the areas