Unexplained gap in torsion bar socket

[MaliceResistor]

Hello and good day,

I have a question for the group on my torsion bar installation. I have a 74 challenger, which originally came with a 318/904, and I replaced these with a 383/727.

Front steering and suspension steering updates:

New Upper control arms, bushings and ball joints,

Have rebuilt lower control arms with welded braces, new bushings and ball joints.

New shocks, horizontal struts and bushings.

Rebuilt steering gear, New Pittman and idler arms, new tie rod ends and couplers.

I am reusing the bolt-pins that are pressed into the LCAs and bolted to the K member.



All of which brings me to the torsion bars.

Given the added engine weight, I decided to replace the skinny OE bars with beefy ones, North of 1.15 IIRC.


There are two oddities though that I can't figure out:

1. An excess amount of space(1/2-3/4") in the frame socket between the end of the bar and the retaining clip. See red circled area below.

I pre-installed the bar in the LCA and subsequently found an approximate 1/2"-3/4" gap of travel at the frame socket, when the bar is fully seated in the LCA.

I did tighten up the lower strut first, but do not see how that could account for the gap.

Questions: Is this normal?

If yes, should I pound the bar to just inside the retaining ring groove?
If not, should I shim the LCA socket with washers to eliminate any potential end play?


2. The second question concerns holes at either end of the bars. Are these to receive zerk fittings,
or are they for some other purpose?

Thank you for any assistance rendered.

 

[moparlee]

Measure the length of the new bars compared to the original bars. I have re-built three front suspensions and that end play seems normal. Be sure to apply grease to the ends and the sockets. That hole on the end might have been there for the fabrication process. Is it threaded or just drilled, you could just call the supplier and ask.

 

[R4Sedan]

After you seat the torsion bar, you will have a little space in the rear socket After you put your clip in. Half inch sounds about right.

 

[Xcudame]

1/2" sounds about right! Hopefully you packed the lower control arm sockets with long fiber grease and the rear sockets in the frame once the clips are installed. Then the boots, I pack grease in there too! Center drill in the ends are for manufacturing purposes.

 

[MaliceResistor]

Measure the length of the new bars compared to the original bars. I have re-built three front suspensions and that end play seems normal. Be sure to apply grease to the ends and the sockets. That hole on the end might have been there for the fabrication process. Is it threaded or just drilled, you could just call the supplier and ask.

Thank you so very much for your comments. End play makes sense, as does the fabrication holes. I'll dress the bar and slap it back in tonight.

 

[MaliceResistor]

1/2" sounds about right! Hopefully you packed the lower control arm sockets with long fiber grease and the rear sockets in the frame once the clips are installed. Then the boots, I pack grease in there too! Center drill in the ends are for manufacturing purposes.

Thank you so very much for your comments. End play makes sense, as does the fabrication holes. I'll dress the bar and slap it back in tonight.

 

[MaliceResistor]

After you seat the torsion bar, you will have a little space in the rear socket After you put your clip in. Half inch sounds about right.

Thank you very much for the comments.