torsion bar adjustment

Post by **Pascal** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:10 am

Hi,

Is it possible to move the torsion bar arm by one notch on the cross-member without taking to whole suspension apart? If so how?

When I bought my moggy the front suspension was way too high so I had it adjusted by my favourite mechanic when I got the bushes replaced. The height looks correct now but a tad too low. I'd like to raise it by 1/4" (which I believe is one notch on the cross-member) but I don't want to take the whole thing apart again.

Regards

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:15 am

Yes - you can move it at the X member - but it's a case of re-aligning the holes in the support plate with the hole in the X member to gain that extra height. Provided it's not already at the highest setting there - you should get a bit more - but 1/4" is hardly noticeable I would have thought!!

Post by **Pascal** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:21 am

The arm is at the centre hole on the plate so I can move it. The thing I'm worried about is whether the arm will be in tension even with the wheel lifted off the ground. I don't want to remove the bolt only to find I cannot put it back!

regards

Post by **alex_holden** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:04 pm

Yes it will still be in torsion because the upright only goes as far as the lower stop when you jack the car up.

Post by **Pascal** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:10 pm

hmmm... It will probably be tricky to move it and to stop it ramming the floor of the car. Any idea about the strength of the tension?

Post by **alex_holden** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:23 pm

You could get some idea by trying to lift the upright off the bottom bump stop by hand (make sure the car is very secure on the axle stand first though).

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:58 pm

You could take the rebound stop out for a bit more travel.

Post by **MarkyB** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:45 pm

I'm pretty sure removing the lower bump stop won't give you enough slack to adjust the torsion bar. It has to support half the weight of the heaviest end of the car and hangs down a long way when unloaded as I recall.

You don't have to dismantle the whole suspension just remove the front part of the lower suspension arm while supporting the back part.
I would do it with 2 jacks. A bottle jack to support the back half of the suspension arm and a trolley jack to support the car.
At least nothing should be seized up as its been apart within living memory

I agree with bmcecosse that its a lot of work for a 1/4" change.
If I recall correctly the chassis leg alongside the engine should be 6" from the road.

Post by **aupickup** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 7:07 pm

or 17" from the bottom of the large round hole in the inner wing to the centre of the rear wishbone fulcrum where the pins pins go through

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:15 pm

So - if you can't make the fine adjustments without loosening the (rear half) front arm from the king pin - why did they bother with the 'fine' adjustments at the X member!! I think marina has a screw and nut arrangement - has anyone adapted that idea for the Minor ?