Author Topic: Left and Right Torsion Bar questions, and an ebody the leans to the left  (Read 1657 times)

Offline spamtank

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I replaced the rear springs with the XHD mopar springs for two reasons.  One, I thought the butt end looked low (and it was by measurements), and after having a shop replace my ball joints and tie rod ends, the car had taken a significant list to the port (left) side.  I felt like I was on an Italian Cruise ship.  In all seriousness, there was about an inch or more difference between the measurements from the rocker panel (front and back) and the opposite side.  I had to back out the adjuster on right side all most an inch or more compared to the left side to get it to side near level, and there was still a 1/4" or more difference between the two sides.

I got some great info by searching the CC.com site, and found this thread particularly instructive: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=79623.0

So I checked the installation of the bars and they were installed on the correct sides; I had the 779L on the left and the 778R on the right.  As a mechanical engineer, I understand the idea behind torsion springs, and material properties such as the elastic region, and the permanent set that may occur if a material yields. 

My first check, once I pulled the bars out was to lay them on the floor side by side, and I noticed they didn't line up perfectly.  With the hex on one end of the 778R flat on the floor, the opposite end is 90 deg (so there's a 30 deg offset from one end to the other), and it was pretty darn close since I used a square to measure it.  With the hex on one end of the 779L flat on the floor, the opposite end was out of square by .075" across the flat.    The flats are 1", and with a .075" gap, and some trigonometry, I come up with between 4 and 5 degrees of offset.  Furthermore, the lower control arm is 13", and some additional trigonometry gives me the 1" offset that I am seeing.

Here are my questions:

1) Is this 5 degree offset the reason for the left and right torsion bars?  Is this to account for drive train torque?

2) Is the left and right part number designation intended to ensure that they get put back in the same way due to material property concerns?

Thanks

Rick
Rick, Manchester, NH
1970 SE 383 2V AT Challenger
1977 M882/W200 Power Wagon
2013 RT Plus 6M




Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Left and Right Torsion Bar questions, and an ebody the leans to the left
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2012 - 12:04:36 PM »
Are the bars new or used ?
 The rear springs tend to tweak the ride as well , the different offset seems to be a problem for sure , I would crank up the left bar a bit to see if that helps to level it , it may not raise the car a lot to add extra pressure on the left side , the opposite torsion bar will adjust the read en d to level that out .

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline spamtank

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Re: Left and Right Torsion Bar questions, and an ebody the leans to the left
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2012 - 02:10:38 PM »
Are the bars new or used ?
 The rear springs tend to tweak the ride as well , the different offset seems to be a problem for sure , I would crank up the left bar a bit to see if that helps to level it , it may not raise the car a lot to add extra pressure on the left side , the opposite torsion bar will adjust the read en d to level that out .

Bars are original to the car, best I can tell. 

I did crank in the left side a bit, and that did help.  Got it pretty close, and it seems better than before. only off 1/8" left to right.  So I'm pretty happy with that. 

Gonna take it for a ride to see if that changes it at all.
Rick, Manchester, NH
1970 SE 383 2V AT Challenger
1977 M882/W200 Power Wagon
2013 RT Plus 6M

Offline brads70

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Re: Left and Right Torsion Bar questions, and an ebody the leans to the left
« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2012 - 02:22:06 PM »
When your taking your measurements are you rolling it back and forth a car lenght or so? I ask as it settles after you have had it jacked up to adjust the t-bar. You need to roll/drive the car a bit to settle everything back down.
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline spamtank

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Re: Left and Right Torsion Bar questions, and an ebody the leans to the left
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2012 - 06:20:54 PM »
When your taking your measurements are you rolling it back and forth a car length or so? I ask as it settles after you have had it jacked up to adjust the t-bar. You need to roll/drive the car a bit to settle everything back down.

To get it close I was just bouncing each corner.  Then I took it for a 15 mile ride to make sure it didn't need further tweeking.  Ended up pretty good.  I might make one final adjustment tomorrow.  If the weather stays nice, maybe I'll take it for another ride this weekend. 

Can't believe it's february and 50 degs out.
Rick, Manchester, NH
1970 SE 383 2V AT Challenger
1977 M882/W200 Power Wagon
2013 RT Plus 6M