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Friend of Warren
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 16,493
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Would you replace these torsion bars?
Front torsion bars from my '86 Carrera. I think they probably should be replaced but thought I would get some opinions. If I do replace them, with what? Specs on the car: Running stock Carrera rear torsion bars. Bilstein HD's front and rear. Go with stock front torsion bars?
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Kurt V No more Porsches, but a revolving number of motorcycles. |
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RETIRED
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If you do the fronts....ya goota do the rears. MY SC uses 22 and 28s....
That one looks like a good candidate to be ground off and used as a pry bar....
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1983/3.6, backdate to long hood 2012 ML350 3.0 Turbo Diesel |
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Friend of Warren
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 16,493
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Quote:
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Kurt V No more Porsches, but a revolving number of motorcycles. |
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RETIRED
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Only if you go bigger....if you just replace the fronts with same size you don't have to...
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1983/3.6, backdate to long hood 2012 ML350 3.0 Turbo Diesel |
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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Arapahoe County, Colorado, USA
Posts: 9,032
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Kurt,
I agree with Mike the fronts are toast. Note the notch in the bar. That is from contact with something inside the A-arm. Find and fix that. That degree of corrosion is surely to cause a failure sooner than later. When a torsion bar fails the suspension drops to only being supported by the rubber bump stop in the shock and, to a lesser degree, by the sway bar transferring load to the other side. All of a sudden that end of the car looses grip. Use this as an excuse to bring the spring rate stiffer. Your choice as to how much. Your 911 handles very well but the wonderful roads between your house and office beg for more responsive suspension. Since you don’t track your 911, there isn’t any reason to go to 24/31 mm. An intermediate set-up would work well. When you install new torsion bars, thoroughly clean and oil the splines with heavy oil. Coat the torsion bars with heavy grease. These are service items that need to be lubed periodically for rust prevention. As you can see, the steel alloy used for torsion bars is very susceptible to corrosion. If your rears are in good condition, I’m sure there are some Pelicans that will buy them. Just don’t scare me too much between your house and Jefferson City. Best, Grady (For others, It isn’t Kurt’s driving that scares me. It is the fear of the oncoming F-150 crossing the center line on these really cool roads.)
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,031
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If your in Love with those torsion bars, have them bead blasted and crack checked. If they pass crack check, have them shot peened. Otherwise, use this as an excuse to upgrade
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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 44,337
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If you have a wife, this is probably the best thing that could happen to you.
"For SAFETY'S sake, I have to get new front torsion bars, and I have to do the rears to match the fronts," and so on. You could get a motor rebuild out of this!
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Tru6 Restoration & Design |
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Yes, replace them. You can find nice used stock ones all over the place for cheap. Looks like you might need new bushings (they sag and cause wear as Grady was discussing. If you do upgrade (fronts and rears) 21mm and 27mm would be a good combo for street and occassional AutoX etc. IMO
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"I understand that you want to drive fast, it's just that I want to go faster!" Move ova please ![]() Chad aka "Chili" 1974 Base coupe in Carrera outfit. No A/C, no Sun Roof, no power windows. Fast and light, just the way I like it. (Sad to say, it's sold. But at least it remains with us on this board.) My car http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/CHILI 1969 RSR Project. Heavy on the word PROJECT! No pictures yet. Keeps breaking lenses of cameras. |
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BTW, I have 21 and 26's in my car. I think the rear could be stiffer. I don't think I would want 22's up front, though. Might be too rough. And that's coming from a guy who had a (gasp!) lowered Honda Accord! Hehehe
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"I understand that you want to drive fast, it's just that I want to go faster!" Move ova please ![]() Chad aka "Chili" 1974 Base coupe in Carrera outfit. No A/C, no Sun Roof, no power windows. Fast and light, just the way I like it. (Sad to say, it's sold. But at least it remains with us on this board.) My car http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/CHILI 1969 RSR Project. Heavy on the word PROJECT! No pictures yet. Keeps breaking lenses of cameras. |
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I have 22 front and 28 rear, they are on a lighter car than yours and they are fine for street driving and AX. I really don't notice much of a difference most of the time except for the occasional rough road. Much flatter for spirited driving though.
I vote upgrade.
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Rick '76 Carrera 3.0, track '77 3.2 targa, back home '95 993 C4 M030, SOLD PCA San Diego |
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Friend of Warren
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 16,493
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Thanks for the replys! The notch in the bar was definitely from rubbing. The bushing rubber had flowed from one side to the other. Will be replacing the bushings with Elephant bushings.
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Kurt V No more Porsches, but a revolving number of motorcycles. |
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