Would you reuse these front torsion bars?

[rwilner]

Got my front suspension apart for turbo tie rods, a arm bushings, sway bar bushings, and ball joints.

Looks like I did it just in time by the looks of the torsion bars. They look very good to me but not perfect. Would you guys/gals reuse them or buy some replacements?

This is an 84 with ~ 63k miles on her, car's mission in life is fun street with maybe 1 or 2 DE's a year...although I have not done a DE with this car yet.

Thanks!
Rich

[DRACO A5OG]

63k? They are fine, just up the bushings

[rwilner]

What about the little bits that are worn away...nothing to worry about?

[steely]

One of my fronts was worn there too - a bit deeper and a tad rusty, so I replaced it.
It is hard to tell from the pic how much material is gone if any. The wear on yours looks pretty fresh compared to mine btw.
I scored one of similar vintage from a fellow pelican.
If you get them from a parts recycler, make sure you inspect them.

[Tigerrat]

I just completed my front suspension and reused one that looked pretty close to the one on the right. I cleaned, painted, greased and put it back in. The other one was fine. Ken

[Mr9146]

I've seen much, much worse. Paint or powder coat the bar to prevent rust in the worn area and run it again. You should be fine...

[Quicksilver]

Not quite understanding the "It's ok" responses. A torsion bar is a highly stressed, heat treated and probably shot peened part. (Not sure about the surface treatment.) ANY wear on the surface is a stress riser and possible failure point. They just aren't that expensive to replace.

I know that we will get a response like, "I reused the worn ones in my car and it is ok..." and that great statistical sample of 1 is not a valid argument. So what if only 1 in 20 t-bars with a-arm wear fail? A 1 in 20 chance of grinding a corner of your car into the ground because of a part that you know is out of spec seems pretty silly.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by rwilner

What about the little bits that are worn away...nothing to worry about?

yes

I'd replace them now, rather than have those areas serve to start stress cracks and then have the bar fail while you ar on an 80 mph sweeper.

Quicksilver gave you good advice - minimize your risk.

[911dean]

I'd replace them. That's not a part of my car I'd like take a chance with.

Dean

[Classic]

Cheep insurance, I'd replace them

[ivangene]

are they stock bars?

you could get a set for next to nothing - replace them
if they are up sized - you might have to cough up a couple hundred bucks - if you plan on having the car corner balanced after you put it back together that will cost ($175 for me) - so if one has to be replaced later you get to spend that money again and hopefully that is all - if it snaps you could have a real serious situation on your hands......

sucks but its not worth the risk IMO

[rwilner]

They are stock bars. I'm replacing them...glad I thought to pull them out of the A arms to have a proper look! Now the question is, what to replace them with...

Thanks pelicans.
Rich

[Tippy]

Statistically speaking, how many torsion bars have ever failed?

[ivangene]

stock are easy to find - upsizing is very rewarding but you cant just do the fronts - its a slippery slope

JUMP ON !!

I have 23F / 30R hollow Sway Away bars - they are pretty damn nice, some would say too much. I am not one of those people - I daily drive and track about as much as the bank account can cough up though

start searching asking - if you have friends in your area with bigger bars they will most likely love to offer a ride/drive to show you the differences

I learned a while ago - people with Porsche love to share...just ask

[RWebb]

get hollow bars from Elephant Racing

[rwilner]

get hollow bars from Elephant Racing

What sizes most closely approximate stock performance? 21/27?

[kuba_kuba]

Sorry to resurrect - I have the exact same situation (worn away surface of front torsion bars) and would like to stay as close to stock as I can while using new bars. Did you get at answer to this?

[pete3799]

19mm and 26mm should be stock sizes for an 1988.

[roblav]

I've experienced a front torsion bar breaking with the car just sitting in the driveway. We were having breakfast and heard a loud POP! Came out to look, and there's the car sitting crooked.

[weseeeee]

I had one fail during a college spring break trip to Fla. I drove it home to Michigan to have it repaired (1200 miles). I didn't know what was wrong, just that the car sagged on the front right corner, besides I had spent all my money partying. Rich, if you have the means consider a small up grade, if not paint and put it back in.