[xxllmm4]

Hey everyone,

I have a 58 Chevy PU with a Volare front end. It was completely rebuilt with urethane bushings about 500 miles ago. I am wanting to raise the front end about 1-2". Most people say you can just crank the torsion bars up but....

I have herd from at least one person that they where never designed to be raised and lowered like that. If you crank them up they will just go back down to their original level in a week or two. I have found this to be true, it stiffens the spring rate but It just seems to drop back down.

I was thinking, could you machine a couple steel spacers to sit between the control arm and the torsion bar? Basically the same idea as as using blocks to raise or lower leaf spring cars?

Thanks

[xxllmm4]

One other thought, I know they sell kits to re-index the torsion bars on trucks and but I havent seen any for Volare's...

Is it possible to re-index the torsion bar to the next spline?

[stefanP]

Yes ,you can reindex the torsion bar.Also check mopar performance sites.I know there are larger diameter torsion bars too.Also keep a eye on the end where the torsion bar goes into the body.I had a older dart where I welded reinforcment plates around the crossmember area.Help the receptical area from twisting out of the crossmember.best of luck,
stefanP

[RWENUTS]

Hopefully you do recall stefan that the volare has bent or transverse torsion bars. Not the normal straight ones. Ride height can be adjusted by cranking up on the bolts. Cranking the left side adjusts right side and vice-versa.
Crank away xx. Won't hurt to try.

[stefanP]

I'm sorry for posting the wrong information.Please disreguard what I posted.
stefanP

[aosborn]

Yes you can adjust up the torsion bars with no ill effects. It does not raise the spring rate, and it won't settle back down over time. If you run out of adjustment before obtaining the ride height you want, on some torsion bars you can re-index the key. That only works if there is a fine enough spline on the end of the bar.

You will likely have to re-align the front end after making your height adjustment.

[xxllmm4]

"Yes you can adjust up the torsion bars with no ill effects. It does not raise the spring rate, and it won't settle back down over time."

Are you sure about this? That's exactly what happened to my truck. My understanding is this is precisely why they sell the torsion bar keys for dodge trucks. Maybe your thinking of the old straight torsion bars?

[aosborn]

A spring is a spring. Doesn't matter what shape it is formed into. A torsion bar is just a coil spring that isn't bent into a coil shape for example. Unless you over stress the material and bend it, it will maintain the ride height. It won't change rate from the day it was new unless you put heat to it and change the temper. If a spring sags, it has lost some of all of its capacity to carry a load, but the rate hasn't changed.

Just something to think about...

[xxllmm4]

Ok, I see what your saying. I re-looked at the shop manual and it looks like it just re-positions the springs like your saying. I was under the impression they where pre loaded. Maybe my bars are just shot.

[RWENUTS]

Is the volare clip welded to your frame or rubber mounted?

[xxllmm4]

Its welded in.

[RWENUTS]

Too bad it wasn't rubber mounted. Coulda put in bigger biscuits. Guess you'll need to do some cranking.