What are they? (Read 1,765 times)

[nzf2stocks.]

I need help in identifying the torsion bars in my car, they are 25" (640mm) long and have a spline at one end a hex at the other. What are they out of, what are the rates and can I get different rates? If I cant find this out I'll have to convert to coils which means that I wont get out this season.

Cheers, Paul.

[Autopete55]

Sound similar to Dodge or Valiant torsions.
Give Gary Parkes a ring at Manawatu Tractor Spares and he can give you all the info you need.
He used to run those bars in the back of his Flattys that Himself,West,Rossco Dallas and Paul Perkins used to run in Palmy.

[Josh8Josh]

Quote from "Woodart"

there is a formula for calculating torsion bars and arms.It is an imperial formula(not metric).Here is an example of a black vw car bar which is .940 inch diameter,,,,940x940=883600,,,,, 883600x883600=78074896(forget all the zeros) ..... 1129000x78074896=88146557, with a 15 inch arm, multiply 15x15=225 x effective bar length(between the splines 22 inches, so 225 x22 =4950 . now divide 88146557 by 4950=17807 gives you a spring rate of a .940 bar with a 22 inch arm of which will be 178 lb spring rate. sorry about being complicated but it is correct, hope this helps

[nzf2stocks.]

Thanks for that. I dont think that they are valliant as they have hex's at both ends, at least the one I got for my old car did. I've never seen bars with different ends before. The stockcar they are on is probably a Gordge.

[Saloon29s]

I've got some 640mm VW torsions but they have splines at both ends. Never heard of any bars with spline and hex ends.

[Racerman]

If the car is one built by Murray Gordge then it is a high possibility that they are Valiant as I used to cut a spline on one end for him, But if it has been changed then I don't know, pm me if you want to know more
Graeme

[nrp165]

gosh-you've got a thorny one-hex sounds like valiant-maybe with a spline cut?
Josh's formula is correct
4
112900 x d
over
a² x l

where d=diameter of the bar
a=arm length
l= effective length-NOT overall
If they're modified torsions,though-that's not going to be much help-at this stage a better way would be to somehow allow for arm length adjustment-which can significantly alter wheel rate.

[nzf2stocks.]

Thanks Vic, it makes sence now. I'm 90% certain that the car is a Gordge, and the bars seem to support this. VW bars come with quite a few different rates dont they? Would it be possible to machine a hex on to them to suit the Vallient type arms? As for making the arm length adjustable it would be difficult with this car as the torsion arms actually locate the diff, to change that I might as well go to coils and get the benifits there.

[nrp165]

hmm-if you've got VW torsions-and they're the direction you're after-larger dia=stiffer,smaller dia=softer I wouldn't see any problem with putting a hex on one end-something I'd do with the trusty angle grinder/cut-off disc.......carefully-trying not to overheat the bar

[bonezman]

I have the same bars in the back of my Saloon to, I'm changing to coil ova as they are not easy to get an accurate setting out of.

[nzf2stocks.]

Yea, changing to coils seems to be the only option, the bars in this car are probably 20+ years old and are showing signs of delamination.

[stealth]

Strange size for a Chrysler Valiant if they are?

The 2 Torsions I have put off to one side for you are 30 inches long over all. 908mm. both from the same VE Chrysler. The VG & VE were identical but the VG VIP had a thicker shaft to accommodate the V8.
Morris or Hillman would be my guess.

If you still want them let me know. MOTAT have been showing an interest in the parts

[nzf2stocks.]

Thanks Shane, meet up at WP this weekend. These bars probably are chrysler that have been cut down and splined, or possibly toyota or sim that have had a hex cut on to them. The question is why would you do that, more sence to use a standard bar with the ends that suit.

[stealth]

Roger that Paul, I'll be at the 69A car on Friday.... Weather permitting. ( Gotta get that license signed at least 3 times )

Back on subject.. with your torsions.

See you there.