Torsion bars and spings

[1970w34]

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

No they only make custom multi-leafs-I already barked up that tree to no avail.

[1970w34]

Now I'm getting frustrated. I've looked all over my mountains of stuff and cannot seem to find two specific pieces that I know I have somewhere. As I remember, one is an internal General Motors spec sheet on the Toronado and the other is a "cold-heading" manual showing the raw axles and torsion bar ends. Anyway, I did find some other stuff that may help.

It seems that the torsion bars are likely SAE Class 130 bars made from 5160H steel coated with enamel--this came from an SAE manual on torsion bar design and manufacture dated 1966.

The company that manufactured the bars is likely Ontario Steel Products, a subsidiary of North American Rockwell, of Downsview, Ontario.

The Mather Company of Toledo, Ohio may also have manufactured the torsion and sway bars for the Toronado.

I'm hoping once I find that other literature I'll be able to confirm all this.

[Doc Hubler]

Thanks for finding this info! Hope you can find more! This gets us closer to an answer.

[1970w34]

I can confirm that the torsion bars are made of SAE 5160H alloy steel with an enamel finish, 1.071" x 58.05", with a spring rate of 465lb/in (162lb/in at the wheel).

The rear springs are tapered single-leaf, SAE 5160 alloy steel 64" x 3" with a spring rate of 125lb/in (139lb/in at the wheel)

Still working on the confirmation of manufacturer. According to SAE the impressions on the ends of the bars are manufacturer, part, and date codes. I'm hoping I can figure that out from what else I can find...when I can find it.

I have a whole bunch of stuff!

[bcroe]

I can confirm that the torsion bars are made of SAE 5160H alloy steel with an enamel finish, 1.071" x 58.05", with a spring rate of 465lb/in (162lb/in at the wheel).

The rear springs are tapered single-leaf, SAE 5160 alloy steel 64" x 3" with a spring rate of 125lb/in (139lb/in at the wheel) D

The things I note, are the L & R markings, must be installed on the correct side.
And the center diameter, which will determine the spring rate. I have been able
to use GEN II bars in a downsized GEN III car, which are normally only 3/8" shorter.
I have a rack with assorted bars from past cars stripped.
Bruce Roe

[69W34]

can't speak to second /third gen but first gen are marked on what would be the front as Bruce notes with an R/L they are marked with arrow indicating direction of rotation for tension ... at the front the R bars twists CCW the L bar twists CW in carrying the load

[Otto Skorzeny]

can't speak to second /third gen but first gen are marked on what would be the front as Bruce notes with an R/L they are marked with arrow indicating direction of rotation for tension ... at the front the R bars twists CCW the L bar twists CW in carrying the load

Are those directions of rotation as you sit in the car or look at the end of the rod from the front?

[bcroe]

can't speak to second /third gen but first gen are marked on what would be the front as Bruce notes with an R/L they are marked with arrow indicating direction of rotation for tension ... at the front the R bars twists CCW the L bar twists CW in carrying the load

Are those directions of rotation as you sit in the car or look at the end of the rod from the front?

I think it doesn't matter which end of the Tbar is in front, the twist is the same. But
it needs to stay on the same side. Bruce Roe

[Doc Hubler]

There are metal end caps crimped onto the back end of the torsion bars (the end that goes into the crossmember), so you always know which end is back, unless they have been removed for destroyed through corrosion. Mine were in great shaped, although it seems unlikely there were ever adjusted after leaving the factory (and unlikely to have to do it anyway) because there was so much undercoating sprayed in there. There are also rubber boots that slide over the rear end of the bar to fit to the end cap and cover the hole through the crossmember to keep as much dirt and debris out as possible. The boots on mine were pliable and in good shape, so just cleaned and reused them. As far as I'm aware, they aren't available anyway.

[Otto Skorzeny]

I think it doesn't matter which end of the Tbar is in front, the twist is the same. But
it needs to stay on the same side. Bruce Roe

Incorrect, Bruce. Turning the torsion rods front to back / back to front will reverse the direction of the twist relative to the vehicle. It would be the same as swapping them from side to side.

As Doc pointed out it seems unlikely that one could make such an error due to the crimped end cap, though.

My question was what direction do they twist relative to the car. When sitting in the driver's seat is it Left/CW and Right/CCW? Or is it Left/CCW and Right/CW?