Re: [Chrysler300] Burt’s Comments/ 57 Torsion bars

Great information, John. I bought a used '57 Plymouth in 1959. Found the rear anchor of the torsion bars filled with debris. Used a wire to clean out the gaps and then blew clean with compressed air. Kept them clean for years. Didn't know enough to grease them. But never had a problem with them.

Had a '60 Plymouth and that had rubber boots at the rear end of the torsion bars. Kept the dirt out. I do not know when they started using the boots, but from Burt's comments I wouldn't doubt it was before the '60.

Similar subject. One front fender headlight brow was starting to bubble. Found both sides packed with dirt which of course would get wet and just sit there. No wonder they rusted. I cleaned out both front fender brows and repaired the rusted one. Painted them with Rust-O-Leum primer and then a few coats of enamel. Blew them clean often. The non rusted one never rusted. Of course what typical owner ever did that?

Don Warnaar

From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of John Grady jkg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300] <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2018 8:58 AM
To: chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Chrysler300] Burt’s Comments/ 57 Torsion bars

One of the things Burt spoke of at Keith’s home, was the suddenly discovered stress corrosion of 57 torsion bars at the end sockets . I know of this first hand , as going around a rotary ( Massachusetts bad idea) at very high speed as a passenger “ up on two wheels type thing “ in 1960 , in a 57 plymouth the highly loaded one snapped , putting 4 of us into guardrail . Totalled the car . Had same thing happen to me in a 51 ford at same place , ( steering box tabs broke off box at frame bolts in those ) — maybe it was just me at 17. Or debugging designs!
Burt described packing them with heavy grease when they found this out ( a line of corrosion encircles the bar at the mouth of the hex socket , due to salt rust etc . ) That raises stress , like a notch leading to failure . Being a spring in essence , the steel skin is highly stressed there.
I loved how he calmly described this . Failure in engineering in new designs happens , somewhat normal , life testing 3x expected use is the only way to find obscure things — but spraying it with salt probably not part of it , that year. Bet it is now. We forget that “ torsion aire “ ride was a major suspension and engineering innovation , a part of the 57 cars .. lots of new parts never used before .
I am working on a 57 dodge , and I know later years ?58 59 May have rubber boots for this , 60 does . Is it at both ends of bar ? When did boots start ? Do they fit 57 ? Because I never saw a failed one , seeking info on this . Bad surprise awaits if not addressed , and the older the car more likely to happen . Pack with heavy grease at least . Bar interchange ??
When it snaps wheel goes way up into fender hits upper stop , iF in a curve at high speed can lose control .
Good thing to bang around , prompted by the meeting with Burt .
Thank you Burt !
Sent from my iPhone

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Posted by: Don Warnaar <300country@xxxxxxx>

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