Weak Torsion Bars?

[the_engineers]

Had my car up in the air after a small oil pan mishap (don't run a Moroso 9 qt on the street).

I figured while it was up, I'd crank the torsion bar adjusters to get ome additional ground clearance.  After running the head almost flush with the bottom of the LCA, I set the car down and had 26 inches from the ground to the top of the wheel opening.  Went for a five minute jaunt in the car and measured when I returned...23 inches.

Put the car back up and adjusted the pass. side out to where it was before....0.75" of thread from the bottom of the LCA to the start of the adjuster hex.  Same 23", hadn't moved.  Are my bars shot?

If I replace, what should I go with?  I have Super Stock Springs on the back and large sway bars all around.  Small block motor and 18" wheels.  I remember there used to be something like 10 different sizes from MP, now I see 2 sizes.  Add in the 1" pro-touring bars from JustSuspension and that gives 4 choices.

I think 383 or 440 bars would probably be the right choice.  Anyone have a set?

[brads70]

I have the 1" ones in a 440 Challenger from Just Suspention. Did you try firm feel yet?
http://www.firmfeel.com/torsionb_b.htm

[JoltinJoe]

 

[Chryco Psycho]

I would swap out the bars , .92 or .96 should be good for a small block car depending how firm you want the ride , with large sway bars , the springs do not have to be overly stiff to work well

[the_engineers]

Are my current ones shot?

[HP2]

Sounds like it, but also check the mounting points in the cross member and the control arm pivots in the k-frame. A small crack that is growing as you add tension could also be occuring, but typically continually adding turns to teh adjusters is a sign of weak bars.

[the_engineers]

As a test for the rear mount, I'm thinking of raising the car and tightening the tensioners, drawing an index lilne with a grease pen across the T-bar socket and cross member and then driving the car to see if the index line remains straight.  Thoughts?

As for the front, unless the T-bar adjuster is slowly pulling itself apart, I can't see that being the issue.

[Changin Gears]

Moving the front end up or down a couple inches won't change the load on the t-bars.  They are still supporting the same weight.  However, after jacking up the front end, adjusting the bars and putting it back on the ground, you need to roll the car a few feet to let the suspension settle.  When tires first touch the ground the suspension is hanging and the tires are closer together, so when you let the jack down the rest of the way, the suspension is trying to push the tires apart. The suspension ends up bound and keeps the car higher.