Torsion bars

[Guest]

I've taken the front torsion bars out of our '69 car and found they are quite rusty because there was no seal between the A-arm support and the adjuster! I'm going to replace them, but I found that there are a whole load of diameters available. I'm assuming all of these will fit, but what sort of effect do the larger diameters have on the stiffness of the suspension? Has anyone tried hollow torsion bars? What are they like compared to solid 19mm ones? By the way, we haven't got anti-roll bars, but would not be averse to fitting them.

Thanks

 

[Bazgillie]

aijf
The torsion bar is the equivalent of a spring on any other car and the diameter of the bar makes the suspension stiffer or softer. Have a look on the SC and 3.2 forums as there has been quite a bit of debate going on lately about lowering and torsion bar diameters.
Hope this helps Baz

 

[Guest]

Thanks. Yes there's loads of talk on the SC forum about varying torsion bars to alter understeer characteristics. Unfortunately it's all "he said this" and "I'd do that", and these cars have different weight distributions to the 912. I think I really just need to find out the stiffness (or material and dimensions) of the various sizes of torsion bar and then head off to the library to do the calculations. I might just go for a direct replacement to save the hassle though!

Alex

 

[912UK]

I am looking to fit a complete 3.2ltr SC front suspension set up in the 69 12 I have. As it is a LWB car I can swap the parts over to make the job easy. I am fitting a weaker Torsion bar as I don't want it to be too stiff just much better than standard. Also I get an upgrade on the 12's push bike brakes to vented 280mm .....much better[]