Replacing a torsion bar crossmember

[Steven (Peckerwood) Moore]

Can you replace a 1969 dodge dart torsion bar crossmember without removing the k-frame?

 

[Icetech]

Just take out the torsion bars, no reason to get near the k-frame..

 

[Plymouth 65]

Absolutely, just remove the torsion bars and get to work. 65

 

[junkyardhero]

i'll echo the other's here, and say sure you can roll that way.

however you might want to have a look around at some of the other bits while you've got everything apart.

this looks a bit concerning:

 

[dadsbee]

Time for some of this...

 

[Icetech]

Whats funny is a torsion bar crossmember like that in the 80s here in michigan was a death sentence.. now it's like.. lets grab some steel and fix it up

 

[1WildRT]

Like Junk Yard Hero mentioned.... I would be grabbing my rock hammer and tapping on all the structural areas before deciding to just replace the torsion bar crossmember... That left rail is suspect & I wouldn't be surprised to find more soft/thin metal...

Don't go nuts and punch holes in solid metal but moderate taps should bounce off not create dents...

 

[ch1ll]

i'll echo the other's here, and say sure you can roll that way.

however you might want to have a look around at some of the other bits while you've got everything apart.

this looks a bit concerning:

View attachment 1716489785

That's a major concern. I know, one of my cars looks just like that in very exact place and it wrecked havoc with trans tail pieces even before it rusted through.

 

[str12-340]

I assume you will be welding the floor patch to the remaining original, yeah? I know that they just used pinch welds to install the crossmember at the factory, but I'd weld the thing continuously to the floor. Don't underestimate the importance of the part that follows the transmission hump. The whole weight of the front of the car is trying to twist the torsion bars down toward the middle and they are anchored in the crossmember, therefore...

 

[matthon]

Replaced mine, and everything else, front rails, firewall, etc.

Mine was also rotted at the rockers.
Cut a square section out in the rocker, drilled holes on either side, slid a thick piece of steel inside, plug welded and stitched the ends.
Then welded the crossmember on the same way.

Take measurements before, during, after.

 

[Big.J.007]

Metal is bluetooth connected