The Dodge Challenger Message Board

HI, i have already sent this question to Firm Feel, since they make torsion bars, but sometimes they are a bit slow in answering so i thought i would see what other people think.

See the pictures of some torsion bars I have. They are 340, 360, 383 (0.9”) bars. The pictures show some indentations on the bars. Did the factory bars ever have these sort of marks or damage? How critical is the surface of the T/bar to its performance and safety (ie strength, resistance to snapping etc). I want to sell these bars (these are Ebody 41” bars, so not easy to find down here) but need to know if they are perfectly acceptable to be used with these marks.

I know being next to the road surface they are prone to being hit sometimes, and i have been told that despite looking like a blunt instrument, the torsion bars are actually very refined and calibrated so i was wondering if these dents would have any adverse effects. thanks.

(also thanks to Eddie - i did a search and one of your replies on T/bar diameters in 2007 was very helpful)

Any nicks in the surface can cause stress fractures and if so the bar will eventually fail.

If you smooth the nicks out with a file and fine paper they should be OK.

But that big one looks a lot worse than a little "nick" to me.

Thanks for quick reply. Yes the deeper one looks worse the more you stare at it. I could always bog it up... The others could be more or less smoothed out. I was just wondering if the surface of the bar plays a big role, but i think the whole cross section works as one. Unlike a driveshaft which is hollow but still has to transmit twisting forces. The T/bars are solid and absorb and resist twisting forces

My opinion is the rubbed areas are OK, but I wouldn't run the bar with the nick.

yes, looks like that one WILL have to be just a blunt instrument now

hey steve ive got a mate down here that reckons that if you sharpen 1 end they are a very versatile tool
cheers ian

Keep that 'bad bar' for your carrier bearing adjustment on 8.25 adjusters. I' know it doesnt fit 9.25 bearing adjusters but might fit the 8.25 ? if so it would be a handy tool to have to set up rear ends on that particular style of differential carriers,(threaded adjusters thru the axle tube).

Yes, there are many and varied uses for the 'poor ol' bar' Its been sandblasted and painted and looks very pretty- i think i might hang it up on the wall next to my picture of Faith

ianandjess wrote:hey steve ive got a mate down here that reckons that if you sharpen 1 end they are a very versatile tool
cheers ian

Yeah Ian, i remember cutting one hex off an old Val one and using it for something useful

Yeah, it would make a good pry bar for her bra..... Wear some protection though.

Jon wrote:Yeah, it would make a good pry bar for her bra..... Wear some protection though.

Hehe...hey i don't think her bra's need much encouragement to come off - if you looked hard enough and made a wish i think it would pop off by itself. i really had to hunt around in my pictures of her to find one where she actually had a bra on!!

But the main point of that picture was to show the 71 Challenger, it features "Torsion Bar suspension" ...

Well here it is from the experts, Dennis of Firm Feel Inc. Pretty much what we worked out anyway:

"Hi Steve,

I would not use the first bar with the big chunk out of it. Since the torsion bars twist in their action as a spring, this will be a weak spot that would most likely result in a failure. The second bar doesn’t appear quite as bad, but the metal surface of the bars is very important to its integrity and ability to suspend a three- to four thousand pound car. I have seen broken t.bars and there is usually a weak/ damaged spot or imperfection in the metal itself.

We don’t sell frame connectors, but they are a good idea to stiffen things up. You might try Harm’s, or Safe T Cap (www.safetcap.com) for these, as well as torque boxes or frame repair parts.

Thanks, Dennis-FFI"