Torsion bars and spings

[69W34]

I agree the front torsion bars are that of greenish gray / grayish green. However keep in mind one has no idea what has been done to a car 46 plus years hence I would very much inclined to compare / verify the rear spring colors with others before painting.

Case in point some time ago there was a discussion about the colors of transmission tags, yellow -black -blue, do to an error on my part I stated that the 67 were yellow well oops, they were black I also stated that the 70 were also black but even that now is not totally correct I have a photo of a 70 OM trans tag in a washed-out orange, but that one has no explanation and does not make it so. Just recently though another has now surfaced again with no explanation and both sources are reliable. Even two is with out any explanation a crap shoot.

I have included a photo of the 69 w34 with 21, K little fuzzy they much cleaner than this.
sorry bout the size.

[Doc Hubler]

Bill,

Actually, I know this car very well. I purchased it from the original owner. These springs were never altered in any way, and I'm sure they had never been off the car till we took them off for the restoration. I did hear a story a few weeks ago from my mother, who knew the original owner, that there was a small accident with the car observed, probably late 70s, early 80s time. We confirmed the very minimal damage on the front when we disassembled the car. We were able to piece together that that was the time that the damage there was repaired along with some minor rust damage on the rear rockers, undoubtedly from leaking drain tubes. The car was then repainted that one time, but of course they didn't bother to paint the jambs or the underside of the decklid. The greenish gold Florentyne Gold was done more of a Gold color (which is what I'm painting the car).

So, I will paint the rear springs on the car the same color as the torsion bars. Like the torsion bars, the springs seem to have a different, thicker paint coating on them, but on the rear springs, that tended to crack and wear off more, leaving only metal/rust color. When I scrape off some of the huge amounts of undercoating on this car (they also sprayed some on the rear springs) the gray green color shows up. I wish I could get the photos to show the color more clearly. I noticed today that the springs, which are outside, were wet from the rain, and that which looks grayish appears more gray green again. Once I get a close match on the color, I'll share it with anybody who is interested.

Of course, I'd like any confirmation of this color that anybody else may have. Does anybody know where/who manufactured the springs/torsion bars and what type of steel they are made of? What was the coating and the color used? I haven't been able to find any documentation.

[ydennekkram]

Hi Doc,

Thanks for all the info!! Just wondering what the plans are for the rear springs, are you going to replace them? Have you come across any good reproductions?

Mark

[1970w34]

Hi Doc,

Thanks for all the info!! Just wondering what the plans are for the rear springs, are you going to replace them? Have you come across any good reproductions?

Mark

Just the multi-leaf type which are not correct. The first gen Toronados used tapered single leaf springs. The problem is that the tool-up to make them is expensive, especially for such a small market. There is a guy in California I bug every couple of years hoping he'll make a run. May be time to try him again.

To Doc:

I think I have some information on the manufacturer and steel type that I can dig out. I have some SAE/GM/WARDS sources available. I'll check over the next few days unless someone already knows.

Carmen

[Otto Skorzeny]

Contact Eaton Detroit for new springs.

Eaton Detroit Spring, Inc. New leaf springs and coil springs
1555 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48216
313-963-3839
http://www.eatonsprings.com/

[Doc Hubler]

I won't replace the springs, they are just fine, but they need to be cleaned and repainted. Of course all the Toros of this generation used the single leaf rear spring suspension.

Carmen: Thanks for all the info you can provide!

[ydennekkram]

If your contact for new springs that match original says he will make some then please let me know as I would be up for getting a set as well.

Thanks.

[Otto Skorzeny]

If your contact for new springs that match original says he will make some then please let me know as I would be up for getting a set as well.

Thanks.

Did you miss my previous post? No need to wait. Eaton sells them.

Eaton Detroit Spring, Inc. New leaf springs and coil springs
1555 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48216
313-963-3839
http://www.eatonsprings.com/

[1970w34]

If your contact for new springs that match original says he will make some then please let me know as I would be up for getting a set as well.

Thanks.

Did you miss my previous post? No need to wait. Eaton sells them.

Eaton Detroit Spring, Inc. New leaf springs and coil springs
1555 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48216
313-963-3839
http://www.eatonsprings.com/

They sell a multi-leaf type--I had a set on one of my cars which ended up being workable but I definitely prefer the originals in terms of handling and road feel.

[Otto Skorzeny]

Interesting. I wonder if they'd make a single leaf set since they custom make springs for any application?