Re: {Chrysler 300} 64 300 TORSION BARS

Dave D

On Thu, May 4, 2023 at 8:15 AM, John Grady
<jkg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

failure in 57 were fairly common, just as Riich says , stress crack induced
it was caused by a ring of rust around the hex where it plugged into rear cross never .

I was in a hi mile 57 plymouth going like hell around a mass rotary to the point it felt like front tire was rolling under ( hey young !) when it broke under very high load and crashed car into guardrail due to surprised driver .
Later , not sure when they added rubber boots to bars to seal off that area . And directed to use heavy grease packed full when and after inserting bars .
I remember doing that to one in 60’s and adding my own ideas of caulking a ring after grease
This is why they are smoothly tapered into a much larger hex than bar diameter
— in theory at least should not be twisting at hex .
So imho not an unreasonable design not to worry at hex but that is where they broke .
Good example of unexpected stress riser from surface crack .
And yes a scratch or pit along active part is bad news . ? heavy paint or powder coat?
I never saw one break in active part , I think all were to same spring temper , diameter varied
jkg

Sent from my iPhone

On May 4, 2023, at 7:54 AM, John Nowosacki <jsnowosacki@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

My only experience with broken torsion bars (never on any of my cars) was that they seemed to break when no one was anywhere near the vehicle. Mysteriously happened while no one was looking, etc. Park the car, come back some time later and boom, it's down on one side or the other. Strange. I guess that's better than it happening at 75 mph on the highway.

On Wed, May 3, 2023 at 9:56 PM Rich Barber <c300@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Dave & All:

See: Page 2-8 at: Front Suspension Page (jholst.net) This suggests different torsion bars for ’64 Chryslers with the HD suspension—which was standard on ram K’s and optional on those with the Firepower 360 engine. Two ways to get stiffer springs—alloying or thickness. I’m guessing Chrysler chose the thicker option for the torsion bars as well as the anti-sway bars.

In theory, torsion bars do not wear out or break as they are designed to operate at low enough stress levels to run forever. Damage, manufacturing defects and the overall difficulty of manufacturing crack-free steel may limit torsion bar life. I bought a new Valiant in spring of ’61 and had a torsion bar failure in Spring of ’63 after a few years of Omaha salt acting on an opening in the exterior coating on the bar.

Pits or gouges on highly-stressed may raise stress levels by a factor of 5five near the pit. Classic conchoidal fatigue failure followed with the last cycle as I was backing out of a parking space. TBTG.

Removed both ends of the bar and tootled off to the dealer for a warranty replacement.

What experience have other readers had with broken/sagging torsion bars?

Rich Barber
Brentwood, CA—getting a late blast of cool air and rain in the Bay Area of CA..

From: 'Dave Dumais' via Chrysler 300 Club International <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, May 3, 2023 3:41 PM
To: Chrysler 300 Club International <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: {Chrysler 300} 64 300 TORSION BARS

Hi All,

Come to the realization that my K torsion bars are original.

When or do they need replacing over time?

They have been out and greased a few years back.

The 64 has a front sway bar and both 7 leaf rear springs.

If so needed, what Vendor could supply?

Thanks all,

See you in Hershey.

Dave D

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