Torsion Bar Problem!?

[Andre68]

Well I got the front suspension all set up and then it came to the torsion bars!

I put the torsion bars in through the crossmember, then put on the dust boots (boiling in water is the trick), then I made sure to remove the bump stops and loosen the LCA nut, on the drivers side the bar went into the LCA socket abour 100% the only problem though, even after I tightened the control arm nut was that there seemed to be about 1/2" gap from the pivot shaft to the Kmember being flush against each other, therefore preventing the torsion bar from getting pushed in enough to allow me to put the clip in.

The passenger side has the same issue with the LCA pivot shaft, but on this side It doesnt let me put the torsion bar in the LCA socket more than about 50%.

Im not gonna lie, I did think about holding a piece of 2x4 up to the back of the torsion bar and hitting it with a hammer to try and get it in 100% both the bar and control arm. Something told me not to do it, so I took pictures so you guys can let me know how to fix this!

The car is a 68 Dodge Dart, with front end out of a donor 73 plymouth duster.

 

[Kernel Sanders]

Looks to me like your pivot pin is not pressed in and seated all the way into the lower control arm bushing

 

[Kernel Sanders]

When you pressed in the new lower contol arm bushing did you press the bushing into the control arm first and then the pivot? and if so did you support the bushing when you pressed the pivot pin? If not then you possibly have the bushings inner sleeve pushed through into the torsion socket.

 

[68gtxman]

Looks to me like your pivot pin is not pressed in and seated all the way into the lower control arm bushing

Looks like that to me too!

 

[Oldmanmopar]

The pin looks to be in all the way. I believe you used a three piece bushing kit on pre 73 strut rod. This holds the control arm back and won't let it seat in the k-member. Check to see if the front threads on the strut rod are coarse or fine thread. If they are fine thread you will need to get the correct strut rod bushing set. They are thinner. Most are usually one piece but there are son slim two piece. The two piece with steel sleeve are for use with 73-76 and will cause your problem. I have had kits packaged wrong from just suspension. They sent me the correct bushings.

The first pic below shows the rod length difference. This looks to be the same distance you need to make up. I good be wrong without seeing more pics but This is worth a look. I have done the same thing in the past so I know first hand.

 

[67Dart273]

!!!THANKS!!! for the info "Oldman"

 

[Andre68]

Oldmanmopar I have the bottom one in your photo... The one that looks thicker, and I do believe you got it right because I did push the pivot shaft the right amount in, that little area isn't suppose to be touching the bushing but the k member, if I push the pivot shaft in it would stick out in to the torsion bar socket.

I'm certain that those parts are right for my car because It had those in it when I bought it, and the suspension was on just fine... Then I took it apart to rebuild the suspension and then I ran into this issue. I do believe it is the strut bars that are preventing it from going in 100% I might install the strut bars last.

 

[zhandfull]

Did you press the lower control arm pins in to the bushings all the way?

never mind I see it's where it goes in to the K member that isn't seated

 

[Andre68]

fixed it!!! the stupidest thing! I took pictures before taking it apart and I realized I had a washer in the wrong spot on the strut bar! Put the washer back in the right spot, went in fine.