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> Torsion bars
bajafreaks
post Aug 23 2026, 04:54 PM
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I know torsion bars are extremely important piece to the front end puzzle.
Are these too far gone? Two pics are exactly as removed, the other two are brushed up with a wire wheel. The ware is only on one end of each one, and there is a slight "ridge" i can feel. ThanksAttached ImageAttached Image[attachment
id=982572]Attached Image Attached Image
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mepstein
post Aug 23 2026, 04:57 PM
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Although I’m sure people drive around with similar or worse, I would not reuse them. If one does go bad at the wrong time, it could really spoil your day.

Basic rule of thumb is if there’s any wear, corrosion or grooving, they should be replaced.
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jim_hoyland
post Aug 23 2026, 05:26 PM
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When a torsion bar needs replacement, does the steering feel change ?
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mepstein
post Aug 23 2026, 06:10 PM
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QUOTE(jim_hoyland @ Aug 23 2026, 07:26 PM) *

When a torsion bar needs replacement, does the steering feel change ?

No. An old torsion bar may let the car settle a bit (it’s just a spring) but nothing really changes in feel unless they break, which can happen while moving or standing still, since they are always under tension.
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bkrantz
post Aug 23 2026, 07:47 PM
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Remember, in torsion bars (and other springs) the highest stress levels are just below the outer surface. Damage there is more critical.
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930cabman
post Aug 24 2026, 04:52 AM
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Are we seeing wear or a casting line? From what I know a torsion bar does "not wear out", it may lose it's ability to spring and return to an unsprung position
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Superhawk996
post Aug 24 2026, 05:12 AM
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QUOTE(930cabman @ Aug 24 2026, 06:52 AM) *

Are we seeing wear or a casting line?


Torsion bars are centerless ground steel. There are no casting lines on them.

That corrosion & pitting is a series of stress risers in the most highly stressed portion of the bar (ie the outer diameter). The distinct line probably came from where the bar has been rubbing against the control arm due to bad bushings.

That torsion bar is junk and will eventually fracture.

The control arm bushings need to be replaced or it will just destroy a new torsion bar in short order due to the bad bushings allowing a new torsion bar to rub the control arm the same as happened to the part in the photo.
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mskala
post Aug 24 2026, 05:41 AM
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It has happened to me way in the past.
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914werke
post Aug 24 2026, 06:29 AM
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Yup this is a ticking time bomb in many a car that has never had any suspension or
re-bushing work done.
The weight of the chassis sacks the rear T-bar bushing over the 50 yrs allowing the bars to contact the tube. Over time it will wear the metal to the point in your picture or worse.
If that snaps while in tension while driving.. whoa baby.
I have had the experience of coming out one day & see a car drooping on one side , as a bar snapped while resting.
If youve never worked on your front end its worth investigating
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barefoot
post Aug 24 2026, 07:32 AM
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If you can't get new bars quickly, polish out all the pits & scratches for now & repaint as they are stress corrosion incubators which lead to fatigue failure. Replace at least the rear bushings in the A-arm first as yours have collapsed. Replacing itorsion bars is s a quick job.

Good luck, Barefoot
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bajafreaks
post Aug 24 2026, 07:45 AM
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I'm restoring/replacing everything else, might as well do these too.
Not sure who sells them, just need stock replacements, but will start looking. Thanks for the input.
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friethmiller
post Aug 24 2026, 08:28 AM
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The torsion bars on my LE were in really good condition but they also had these wear lines like you are showing - but even worse. I'm replacing with new for sure.
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jim_hoyland
post Aug 24 2026, 10:17 AM
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Who sells those bushings ?
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930cabman
post Aug 24 2026, 10:40 AM
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QUOTE(Superhawk996 @ Aug 24 2026, 05:12 AM) *

QUOTE(930cabman @ Aug 24 2026, 06:52 AM) *

Are we seeing wear or a casting line?


Torsion bars are centerless ground steel. There are no casting lines on them.

That corrosion & pitting is a series of stress risers in the most highly stressed portion of the bar (ie the outer diameter). The distinct line probably came from where the bar has been rubbing against the control arm due to bad bushings.

That torsion bar is junk and will eventually fracture.

The control arm bushings need to be replaced or it will just destroy a new torsion bar in short order due to the bad bushings allowing a new torsion bar to rub the control arm the same as happened to the part in the photo.


Thank you for the education, I was unaware they were centerless ground. This one was rubbing against the housing probably, either way it's a weak point
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bajafreaks
post Aug 24 2026, 01:41 PM
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QUOTE(jim_hoyland @ Aug 24 2026, 09:17 AM) *

Who sells those bushings ?

PMB has them, they are actually from 914 rubber but they are out.
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