Torsion bar question

[Scott R]

I dropped the entire suspension out this afternoon, pretty uneventful except for those damn roll pins in the strut housing. But what I found has me worried. This is the drivers side front torsion bar and it has a fair amount of surface rust on the aft end.

I had not planned on replacing the torsion bars, however I will if people think these need to go rather than just cleaning them up.




Some obligatory photos of rest of the pile of mess.

[jager911]

IMO, that looks pretty bad. Stock torsion bars are readily available, for all the labor involved, I'd replace them. I've done a number of them and they haven't looked like that.

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by jager911

IMO, that looks pretty bad. Stock torsion bars are readily available, for all the labor involved, I'd replace them. I've done a number of them and they haven't looked like that.

Damn, first time I've found rust on the car as well.

[AlfonsoR]

Is there a way to measure spring rate? Seems replacement is judged only by visual inspection and sometimes rust, for example, can be misleading.

If replacing, what are some recommended places to shop for these?

Thanks

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by jager911

IMO, that looks pretty bad. Stock torsion bars are readily available, for all the labor involved, I'd replace them. I've done a number of them and they haven't looked like that.

+1. Scott, I upgraded mine many years ago (to 22/29), and my stock ones appeared great. Don't recall what came on the Carreras though...I think they were 19s on the front. Can you use 'em?

[RWebb]

it isn't changes to the spring rate (except for VERY sudden ones later on)

the problem is that rust pits act like stress cracks, leading to catastrophic failure - at least that is my understanding...

this is a great opportunity for you to get nice new hollow bars, and think about whether you might like a different size too

be sure to check the other ones als, and check all over for rust, including the inside of the rear tube

I like the bars Elph. sells - I think he gets them from Sanders, but not sure

[911dean]

Originally Posted by RWebb

it isn't changes to the spring rate (except for VERY sudden ones later on)

the problem is that rust pits act like stress cracks, leading to catastrophic failure - at least that is my understanding...

this is a great opportunity for you to get nice new hollow bars, and think about whether you might like a different size too

be sure to check the other ones als, and check all over for rust, including the inside of the rear tube

I like the bars Elph. sells - I think he gets them from Sanders, but not sure

I have a set of 22/29 elephants on the shelf and there's a SE stamped on them.
Which leads me to believe Sanders made them.