Torsion bar adjusting plate

Post by **alanworland** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:29 pm

Some years ago I made and had powder coated a pair of adjusting plates, and although they looked lovely I have noticed recently that they have started to 'bend forward' - at the top where they transfer the load to the horizontal top of the crossmember.
I have just taken them out for 'straightening' and decided that they weren't fully in the corner when the load of the spring was re applied.
However even though they were in the corner they have done it again!
I have now decided that the radius of the bend on the adjuster is too great, putting the torsion bar load away from the corner. A new pair arrived today with a nice tight corner bend which I am hoping will prevent a reoccurance.
Has anybody else had anything similar?
Alan

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:42 pm

Maybe the top of the crossmember is beginning to crumble!

Post by **MoggyTech** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:56 am

The lip on the top of the adjuster plate has to be a sharp bend. Iv'e seen DIY plates bend as you have described. Excessive radius at this bend will bend the plate.

Post by **alanworland** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 12:26 pm

Must be a massive force involved

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:27 pm

Indeed - it's the full dynamic loading of the front end of the car! Only that little edge + clamping force of the bracket to the crossmember that opposes it all!

Post by **alanworland** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:52 pm

Offside one fitted and everything is staying in position with no bends yippee!, got to do the other side now, but I must say it's been apart so often I think I'm getting quite quick at it!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:26 pm

I've seen this too, but never really worried too much about it (yet). The locking bolt should be high tensile and done up FT.

Be very glad it comes apart easily! If it's had enough salt and not been apart for decades you would not believe how hard it can be to rebush and reset the front suspension!

Post by **bigginger** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:32 pm

Hear hear. And, for good measure, hear

a
(Going to cut up the fronts of two scrap chassis' in order to remove T bars...)

Post by **alanworland** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:51 pm

Nearside now exchanged and it's all looking good!
When I held the old and new plated together there's not a great deal of difference but obviously enough to make them bend.
Thanks everyone.

Post by **bigginger** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:53 pm

Congratulations

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