Dylan, Chrysler adapted and perfected the tortion bar suspension from building tanks during WWII. Alot of people don't realize that fact. When Daimler purchased Chrysler, it was a union of former enemies, as Daimler also built tanks in WWII for Germany. Irony at it's best...
Amazing video, very well explained. Better than 99% of videos out there. Please keep videos like this coming. You have no idea how much you are helping people.
Remember, torsion bars twist, and can snap. I have personally seen them snap without warning. As stated in the video, always support the car with jack stands before adjusting. Do not scratch or put dings in the torsion bar as this could start a stress crack. I notice the torsion bar is very close to the header. I hope there is enough clearance so that the header does not hit the torsion bar.
You're supposed to wear your glasses and a lab coat when presenting educational videos, Dylan. Seriously though, this was a great show on how torsion bars work. I had a '78 Newport with the same set up, though she had a slight lean. I was fortunate enough to find an independent shop that had the experience of repairing them. Somewhere in the car's past it had been lifted or jacked up in the wrong place, and the bar was bent. But in about an hour(including a new bar and alignment), the car was handling and braking a whole lot better. So, long story short, knowing your way around your car is beneficial. Thanks Dylan for bringing great content, it's cool to see young people actually working with their hands on classic cars.
Procedure basically the same for A,B,C bodies. Another video on the same lowering technique sowed 5 full turns of the 3/4 bolt ONLY gave 3/8 lowering, but he did not let the car settle either. So good thing
Dude, I don't know how I found your channel but it's one of the best I've watched since Roadkill went of youtube. Makes me want to get my Gramps 1982 F100 running again, hopefully before I get my licence. Keep making these videos man, they are honestly brilliant.
I used to adjust the bars on my 71 charger right on the side of the road to lift the front end all the way up to take it off road then adjust them down again after getting back to pavement, needless to say I went through tires really fast on the front.
Torsion bars are a main reason why the stunt guys preferred jumping mopars. There are quite a few episodes of the Dukes of Hazzard where the car’s front end is oddly high. In the Dukesfest extra on the season 2 DVD, it is very noticeable on the General Lee jump.
Back in the day we had a '57 Chrysler New Yorker 4DHT. One evening in the early sixties while we were watching TV we heard a big bang from outside and then a little while later another. We went out the next morning to find that both torsion bars had shattered.
Below my 1973 Plymouth Satellite is almost the same torsion bar suspension system. I can also adjust the upper control arm to change the stand of the wheel so it sits right if i lower or higher the ride hight. Maybe this also works for your Dodge as a Plymouth is of the Chrysler Company too.
I know torsion bar has been used in modern suspension; but for some reason I associated it to a steering system and not the leaf or coil system. I remember my Dad told me his friends would adjust the torsion bars and it worked well. So my guess is that it works in modern day in conjunction with the coils or leaf springs??? Again, as a kid I assumed leaf and coil springs took over.
Excellent information. I'm working on my buddies 1969 roadrunner. I'm doing a complete rebuild and a disc brake conversion with new spindles. How do I find out factory ride height. The front end was worn slap out and way out of alignment. My first experience with a Mopar, so I'm learning. Thank you for a informative video. Very well done. Thanks.
yes, the static alignment will change when you change ride height, so you always set ride height first. Your model with the wrenches lacked ball joints, so it really didn't represent what happens. Unequal length control arms move the spindle in an arc where the camber changes during the arc.
Like the Video.. I've always liked my 68 Dodge Dart, to have enough rake on it to make Water come off the windshield about half way up the glass.. also at speed, pushed car down a bit and more stable.. freeway driven everyday.. peace
I have a 73 Cuda and needed to lower my front so the tires wouldn't rub on the front fenders. They were really stuck but with leverage was able to move them. The front end went down and no more tire rub. However, I went back and looked up some information and looked under the car. The Drivers side bolt was a lot lower than the passenger side. Yet when I measured the fenders they seemed fairly close to the same from the top to the ground. Underneath, by the control. They were a different distance to the floor. Is is better to get it the same on the control arms or fender? Very good explanation of the suspension. I did take it on a short drive and haven't had the time to measure it again. By the way I have a 68 Charger. My father back in the 60's raised the torsion bars so that when we went home over gravel roads that had high ruts in it that it would not bottom out. It is still high but looks kind of cool that way. Should I adjust them down?
easier way to know the rides height change, unhook the sway-bar & then bound the front a few times. that's what we did in the nascar cup series on the setup plates or shop
You have taken your lessons, men. Thumb up! Im surprised they havent used an u-shaped torsion bar as they are common on the most european vehicles. But behind the big pond things happen a bit different. Now i suggest to change this weird fan shroud to one with a proper air flow.
Adjust them.. measure the height at fender.. Drive.. go over stuff.. get out Measure.. adjust again.. ad 3/4 -1/2 inch higher on driver side so it looks level when your inside driving.. Repeat All Steps.. until your happy... lastly Ask Fat friend to get in.. so Passenger side will drop.. Repeat All steps with heavy buddy.. adjust again.. measure again.. done.. Be Stoked.. your driving Mopar.. Daily driven 68 Dodge Dart..
I have a 2002 Chevy Tahoe. I saw the bar with the hexagon as I went up to the front I did not see the crossmember that looks like yours with the bolt. My neighbor who I bought it from says I can lower that truck he did it. Since he is an older man he won't go under to look at it. Is it possible on those trucks for me to do it?
I have a loose torsion bar on my 85 caddy. I can feel it loose in my front driver wheel when I have my foot in the floor(vibration) I redid my whole suspension but the last thing I didn’t check was the bar. If Tighten it will it also tighten the bar from shaking? Doesn’t appear to be broken. Do these get loose over time?
When I've got mine jacked up to tighten that bolt it's not sitting in one position like yours it was moving around as I tightened it, is that normal? Am I missing something? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hey i recently came across your RU-vid channel i love it , i was wondering would you know anywhere to get floor panels for a 1979 gmc Sierra 1500 because its rusted in the inside on the floor
love it man greetings from Lebanon i have a 1973 Dodge Charger SE 400 - 4 speeds , i wonder how much travel would a one complete spin do to the ride height , mine is sitting great but there is a difference in ride height at the back of the car (between left rear wheel and right rear wheel about 2 cm ) don't know if it's from torsion bars adjusting or leaf springs since car sat for 16 years and only moved twice a year )
