• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Torsion bar question...

64SF

Well-Known Member
Local time
1:31 AM
Joined
Mar 16, 2011
Messages
866
Reaction score
603
Location
Ocala,Florida
What's the effects of putting the torsion bars on the wrong side? Example: The right one on the left side and visa versa. Thanks
 
I'm not even sure they even fit depending on how Mopar cut the hex's on the ends? They are stamped with a L or R to identify which side is which, and I'm sure they did this for a reason. If you're thinking on doing this, why would you want to?
 
I believe the hex ends on stock bars are clocked 20 deg differently from one end to the other which is significant in trying to achieve stock ride. Changing them to opposite sides throws this clocking off by 40 deg and since each hex flat represents 60 deg, I believe you may run out of adjustment before you get the front end up to spec height. If going for a lowered look might work out.

Also the bars develop some torsional memory and if they are run on one side and swapped to the other side weird things can happen. At least that seemed to be the case on my 66 where I found the original bars on the wrong sides. The pass side seemed to set OK but the driver side ran out of adjustment and couldn’t be leveled out. New torsion bars put everything back reasonably normal.
 
Thanks for the replies...I didn't intend to put them in wrong BUT I may have. One comment that strikes me as a possibility is achieving the ride height before you run out of adjustments. I will double check to be sure. The confusing part to me is the identification...I don't recall seeing a R or L on the end of the bars only numbers. The bars are original and the car sat for a long time. May order new bars.
 
Thanks for the replies...I didn't intend to put them in wrong BUT I may have. One comment that strikes me as a possibility is achieving the ride height before you run out of adjustments. I will double check to be sure. The confusing part to me is the identification...I don't recall seeing a R or L on the end of the bars only numbers. The bars are original and the car sat for a long time. May order new bars.
I wouldn't think sitting for a long time would hurt the bars. The lower control arm bushings may age, crack, and fail soon from sitting to long.
 
Torsion bars "Are" clocked a slight degree. They can be put in on the wrong side if you move the lower control arm up or down to allow installation. Not a good thing!! My factory ones, when I pulled them out, had a painted stripe I believe it was, to designate right and left. A little research will tell you what markings to look for. If you haven't pulled them yet, clean one in the middle and paint a mark so you don't mix them up.
 
The numbers indicate the side they go on. It’s a common Mopar numbering process - last digit in number or right side is an even no. and left side is odd. I actually just learned this on here.
 
The numbers indicate the side they go on. It’s a common Mopar numbering process - last digit in number or right side is an even no. and left side is odd. I actually just learned this on here.
I got in trouble 40 years ago assuming the even/odd numbers to install pistons in a 426 Hemi. She wouldn't roll over after the heads were installed!
Mike
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top