torsion bars - can you swap left and right ?

dickster · 09-13-2002, 08:51 AM

is it right that bars are left and right handed and you can't swap them?

why not?

i was thinking my handling prob might be a bad bar (weak?) and i could swap them to check.

just a thought.

atlporsche · 09-13-2002, 09:01 AM

this is correct, according to my shop manual (for a '67) the bars are prestressed, and swapping sides absolutely should not be done...

sjd

anthony · 09-13-2002, 09:47 AM

They are marked L and R. I have a similar question though. Once you take them out does it matter which end goes in first? It seems like it wouldn't matter because they would still be twisting in the same direction.

atlporsche · 09-13-2002, 09:48 AM

I don't think it does...

I put mine with the letters to the front of the car, just like they came out.

sjd

Mike Feinstein · Mike Feinstein's Garage

The splines on each end of the torsion bar are different diameters. The bars can only go in one way.

marcesq · marcesq's Garage

Front sway bars have same diameter on both ends.

Rear sway bars have different number of splines and hence different diameter for adjusting ride height.

dickster · 09-13-2002, 11:05 PM

thought as much, thanks for the confirmation guys.