Torsion bar setting - a question

ChrisC · Post by **ChrisC** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 6:54 am

This post is also on my blog but probably should reside here:

I have the torsion bar setting link and I am inserting this where the damper would fit. So far so good. At the other end is the reaction plate and the bracket that the torsion bar slides into.

Having slept on this I think I know the answer but here is the question:

Do I bolt the bracket to the reaction plate and then start playing with rotating the torsion bar until it slides in or merely keep trying the torsion bar until the bracket aligns with the holes and then bolt it up?

Oh and one schoolboy "double-check" question - if the torsion bar says LH (left hand) is that viewed from the front of the car or the drivers seat?

kingzetts · Post by **kingzetts** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 8:54 am

Chris,
I found that while the little "rabbit ear" bracket at the rear of the torsion bar would slide easily over the splines, and the front of the bar would slide easily through the splined hole in the wishbone, when you try to slide the bar through both at the same time its a different story and requires a certain degree of persuasion.

So I recommend the following technique.

With the ear loose on the thin part of the bar, slide the front of the bar into the wishbone just enough so the rear splines are just poking out from in front of the reaction plate. Then slide the ear back along the bar until it just engages with the front of those splines. It is then easy to see if the holes line up. If not, rotate the front of the bar one spline and try again. Once you've found the position required, mark the bar and ear and wishbone with paint or something to show the correct alignment (in case the bar slips out while fitting), bolt the ear to the reaction plate, and persuade the bar to sit fully in both splined sockets.

Cheers

Series 1 · Post by **Series 1** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 9:24 am

Chris,

I haven't reached that stage yet but have bookmarked these two links for reference when my turn comes...

http://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/ ... ars_Update

http://www.inetogether.org/jaguar/040611.php

Angus

kingzetts · Post by **kingzetts** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 1:45 pm

Chris,
I'm pretty certain all references to "left" and "right" are "as viewed from the driver's seat sitting normally (ie facing forward)". So your L stamped torsion bar would be for the left hand side viewed in that way, the passenger side for a right-hand-drive car.

ChrisC · Post by **ChrisC** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 7:41 pm

Useful links and an interesting read Thankyou.

I hadn't noticed that the fulcrum shaft had different lengths at each end so this means stripping it down for a fourth time. Shame I am only going to build one Etype and wont be able to use all this information another time.

tim wood · Post by **tim wood** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 8:38 pm

As one who is in the midst of this rather amusing job I would like to say thanks for this information. Much useful detail which i wasnt aware of. Like the differences in the lower fulcrums.

Saved me much time and frustration.

My only other question is why when I am many years past my youth do I still spend hours on this hobby.........

regards to all

Tim

PeterCrespin · Post by **PeterCrespin** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 4:25 pm

ChrisC wrote:Oh and one schoolboy "double-check" question - if the torsion bar says LH (left hand) is that viewed from the front of the car or the drivers seat?

No offence Chris, but does your left hand change sides when you turn through 180 degrees? Thought not. The car has a left and a right side just like you. That doesn't change either, no matter if you view the car from above, below, sideways or front or back. It is always and only the left side of the car or the right side. The back of the car stays the back even if it's the nearest part to you, etc. etc.

ChrisC · Post by **ChrisC** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 4:45 pm

Thank you for your response Peter, I am sure you are probably correct although the style of wording is unnecessary

The point is that if you get this wrong the suspension collapses and it could destroy the car

I feel it is better to be 100% certain of getting it right by asking people who are absolutely certain which way round they go. Forgive me for not risking a car that has taken many years to restore...

Post by **1954Etype** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 5:01 pm

Chris, you are quite correct to ask for information if you don't know the answer. The most stupid question is the one not asked!

BTW, I know Pete quite well and can honestly say that he would not knowingly or intentionally offend anyone. :)

PeterCrespin · Post by **PeterCrespin** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 5:12 pm

"BTW, I know Pete quite well and can honestly say that he would not knowingly or intentionally offend anyone"

Except Angus...

Chris, I was a bit blunt, it's true, but honestly I think this comes up so often in various car places that it is better to give a 'loud' and obvious example that may stick in a few people's minds for the rest of their life, than a diplomatic one with no frame of reference that they may forget in future. Thinking of one's own left and right should nail this question for ever.

In a sense I wasn't just addressing you but others reading your post who might also be a bit equivocal. From personal experience, I start from the premise that anyone to whom that issue is not very obvious, is likely to find themselves scratching their head again later. I'm like that with other stuff.

As I said, no offence.

Pete

Dave K · Post by **Dave K** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 6:38 pm

Pete,

So which side is left again.....

I always have to ask the same question again and again when ever I do this job, no amount of telling makes it stick in mind I have other far more important things to remember.

Dave

ChrisC · Post by **ChrisC** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 7:22 pm

I think this topic is dead now. Lets move on.

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