Loose torsion bar

[Daniel Brunner]

Hi
The last days I noticed my passenger torsion bar makes a loud knock noise when turning sharp- especially when turning the wheel by parking. I had this problem once and last time I tightned it and the noise was gone.
But now the noise showed up again even the bar is still tight. Bushings still look in good condition and I also didn’t noticed any severe damages or missing/ loose components.
(Manual steering box)

 

[j-c-c-62]

I had this problem once and last time I tightned it and the noise was gone.

(Manual steering box)

Explain. I have no idea how one 'tightens" a TB.
Something might be lost here in the translation.

 

[twecomm]

Agree with above post.. The only thing that "tightens" a TB bar is the weight of the car applied to front suspensions lower control arms. If you are trying to say you "tightened" the TB by turning the large screw below the lower control arm, that screw does apply some twisting tension to the TB but it's for adjusting the front ride height. Not sure what you have going on with your adjustment you talk about.

 

[davek]

did you ever taken them out before? Need more information.

 

[Dave6T4]

He might be confusing the front strut rod for torsion bar. Terminology. Might actually be bad lower control arm bushing.

 

[70 sublime]

My 69 made a noise like that at one time
Turned out the place where the lower control arm bolts into the K frame area had broken out of the K frame

You will have to jack the car up so the front wheels are off the ground and see if it is loose
I ended up supporting the engine on the inner fenders and taking the K frame out from under the car to swap it out for another one

 

[Lefty71]

Curious how the car sits.

 

[davek]

we need pics please

 

[Fran Blacker]

Had the piece that's welded to K frame that strut rod goes through brake off.

 

[Daniel Brunner]

Agree with above post.. The only thing that "tightens" a TB bar is the weight of the car applied to front suspensions lower control arms. If you are trying to say you "tightened" the TB by turning the large screw below the lower control arm, that screw does apply some twisting tension to the TB but it's for adjusting the front ride height. Not sure what you have going on with your adjustment you talk about.

Okay so the torsion bar shouldn‘t be able to get turned with a wrench? Last time I tightned the bar itself with a big wrench and the knock was gone.
May some joints or bushings are damaged. I‘ll watch again and can send you guys pics tomorrow.
@Dave6T4 no, I didn’t confused the TB with the strut rod but I will have a look on it too and also will check the lower control arm.
Thanks

 

[Don Frelier]

Perhaps your ride height is too low and your lower bump stop is broken off?
That will give you a banging effect.

I've heard here some have had their torsion bar adjustment back off just driving the car.

 

[twecomm]

With the weight of the car on the ground, or off the ground, you should not be able to turn the torsion bars with a wrench. The hexagonal ends should be securely into the socket on the lower control arm and the chassis cross member sockets with no slop. How much of the lower control arms height adjustment screw head is projecting beyond the lower surface of the lower control arm formed side pieces ? Is it somewhat equal on both sides of the car, or is one significantly different than the other. You should not try to adjust the ride height adjust screws with weight of front end of the car on the ground.
Pictures are helpful..
Also, it's recommended that you don't damage the bars with something like a pipe wrench digging into the surfaces of them if you are trying to turn them..

 

[Fran Blacker]

If turned the torsion bar with a pipe wrench you have another problem. The teeth on pipe will dig into the T bar, bad. There might be a problem with rear T bar cross member turning and you lose ride height. Check lower control arm.

 

[davek]

is it clocked right, I asked if you pulled them ?

 

[j-c-c-62]

With the weight of the car on the ground, or off the ground, you should not be able to turn the torsion bars with a wrench. The hexagonal ends should be securely into the socket on the lower control arm and the chassis cross member sockets with no slop.

I agree, and nearly impossible to turn with anything. Any slop at all is rather subjective even when unloaded.

 

[j-c-c-62]

I've heard here some have had their torsion bar adjustment back off just driving the car.

I don't believe the adjuster is even capable of unwinding with normal threads while driving.
The car however might settle a bit for other rare reasons, like a broken TB?