Is my torsion bar broken?

Fidalgo911S · 09-23-2003, 01:10 PM

When I bought my '67 S I noticed the right rear of the car was lower than the left. I took the measurements per the factory manuals and came up with the right being one inch too low. I pushed down on the fender and the shock absorber responed quickly upward with no bouncing. So my question is the torsion bar just out of rig or is it broken? Handling doesn't seem to suffer and I hear no noises from the tube where the bar lies. Any thoughts from the experienced?

SpeedracerIndy · 09-23-2003, 01:43 PM

I'm no expert, but... The shock absorber isn't what causes the car to respond quickly upward. The torsion bars spring the car upward, and the shock absorber prevents the car from bouncing (as in absorbs the bounce). It sounds like your car is acting like it should. Did you measure on an even surface with the car empty? I'm sure some others will have an idea as to why your car is sitting unevenly.

marcesq · marcesq's Garage

Jack the car up and remove the lower bolts holding the shocks to the control arms. Remove jack stands and let the car down on the torsion bars. If one is broke the car will sit on the tire or ground which ever comes first.

Could be control arm bushing is VERY worn, or spring plate bushing is very worn.

My 2 cents

rsr808 · rsr808's Garage

My rear torsion bar broke a while ago... you would not be able to drive the car if this happens. If it breaks then there is nothing to support that corner of the car and the tire hits the fender. It's an ugly sight, but your shocks do not support the vehicle.

Allenk · 09-23-2003, 04:51 PM

If your sure you measured the ride height the same on both sides, you will want to adjust the height. When you do this you will be able the inspect the torsion bar and will know if it's broken.

Elombard · 09-23-2003, 05:41 PM

I have a similar problem. Mine is a 73, I am wondering if, given their age they could have "sagged" like springs some times do? I have after market bars ready to go in. I will report if I see anything obvious when I pull it apart.

chrisreale · 09-23-2003, 06:00 PM

Maybe it was corner balanced for somebody who weighed enough to lower the drivers side one inch?

Chuck Moreland · 09-23-2003, 07:05 PM

Doesn't sound like it's broken, not if the corner bounces.

It could be a result of worn bushings, dropping torsion bar, simple misadjustment, or some combo.

My bet is your bushings are beat and you have some bar sag. The solution is new bushings, then re-set the ride height. Very routine job.

If your bushings are original, they are done. Guaranteed.

Look at the position of your spring plate in it's cover. I'll bet it's not centered. It should be!

Fidalgo911S · 09-23-2003, 07:53 PM

Bingo! The spring plate is as far up as it can get, on both sides. I cleaned off what bushing was exposed and it looked very old. I think I'll change those out and adjust the height and see what I get. Thanks everybody.

Mike Kast · Mike Kast's Garage

rsr808, How many miles were on your bars when it broke?

Glasgow 911SC · Glasgow 911SC's Garage

One of my front ones broke with about 90,000miles on the clock. Read all about it.

Mike Kast · Mike Kast's Garage

It's a little discomforting to think it went at 90,000. I have been chipping away at my mechanical issues as I can. I am closer to a quarter million miles and I'm pretty sure mine are original. Hopefully I will get to them before they get to me.