Torsion Bars

ScubaSteve

ScubaSteve

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Hey y'all,

I have a 1986 Plymouth Caravelle Saloon, she's got the 318 V8, Basically the longer cousin to the Diplomate. I Have upgraded my rear leaf springs to brand new ones, switched all other suspension components and have one more tricky devil to deal with, the torsion bars. I am tired of dealing with them and fighting to find bushings. I want to just replace them with newer and stronger bars. If you knows a site where I can get bolt on bars that would be awesome!!

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This stuff is getting extremely hard to find now. Firm Feel used to sell brand new higher rate torsion bars, but last I looked they were delisted. Even if they have them you're looking at over $1k for the bars. Even their sway bars are expensive. I bought a new 1.25" front bar a few years ago and it was $800 and took five months to get.

The cheapest thing you can do is reuse your existing bars and get new bushings. End bushings can still be bought relatively cheap, but they are not assembled - it's just the bushings. You have to reuse your existing steel clamshells and taking them apart is not easy. Looking at how clean your car is it might be doable. A few members though have done it successfully. I never tried because the last time I rebuilt an M front end all the parts were still readily available.
 
You'll have to set up ebay alerts for the parts you'll need. You might get lucky here on the forum or in one of the Facebook groups. Nobody is making any of these parts anymore
 
I agree with Mark...re-use your current bars and just replace all the bushings with quality stuff. That and a good set of shocks and you'll be fine. I'd also consider solid K frame bushings. IMO they will make a bigger difference than new bars and you'll be happy. I think the OEM t bars were really built to last!
 
Pressing out the pin at the end of the bar is best done with a large press, then replace the pin with a quality nut and bolt. There are good write ups here on the process

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Just to add to what others said, definitely check out the Facebook Mopar groups as sometimes people part out these cars and you can snag good used bars that still have plenty of life left in them.
 
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