1965 FHC Torsion Bars

[keithbrown]

Hi All,
The subject of torsion bars seems to be a bit of a common one, but despite reading many related questions, and answers, mine is a bit different.
So I have not replaced any torsion bars or components, however they were cleaned up and re-plated. They all went back together fine. I made the tool up from the workshop manual to set the distance for the shock absorber.
So all good, but the first thing I noticed once I had put the rest of the front suspension together was that the shock absorber would not extend far enough to fit... but then I figured no engine so I would try again with the engine fitted... Fast forward a year, with engine and gearbox in, as you can see in the picture, it is still a bit short. It will be a while before the bonnet is added, and maybe the shock will just about fit. But I cant imagine the weight of the bonnet loading the torsion bar enough that the angle of the top wishbone looks how it did before I started the rebuild.
Yes I did mark the torsion bars before I pulled them apart, but not well enough to be seen after clean up and re-plating. But then they were re-fitted according to the shock absorber distance from the workshop manual.
Am I worrying about nothing? I'd like to get this right before I put too much more of the car back together.
Thank you for any advice.

[bitsobrits]

I would say your situation is very normal.

The manual specified setting tool has no correlation to the damper extended length. Rather the setting tool positions the suspension components to yield the specified front ride height when everything is assembled and the suspension has been fully settled. It does not "set the distance for the shock absorber".

The fully extended length of a damper for the E can vary somewhat from brand to brand. From your photo it appears your shock should work fine once the suspension has some load on it. Better to have the shock be the limit of downward suspension travel than the ball joints.

[keithbrown]

Thanks Steve, Fingers crossed you are right, The picture I posted is with the cars weight (including engine) on the front suspension.

[mgcjag]

Hi Keith....I can see your lower suspension wishbone sitting on a small wood block.....are you saying you have the full weight of the car/engine sitting on this.....if yes then you have something very wrong

[bitsobrits]

Thanks Steve, Fingers crossed you are right, The picture I posted is with the cars weight (including engine) on the front suspension.

I agree with mcjag. Something is amiss. With the car's weight on the suspension, I would expect your A arms would be much closer to horizontal, even with the bonnet off. I had assumed your photo was of the car with no weight on the suspension.

You used the setting link with no load on the suspension, yes? Did you already tighten the A arm pivot points? That should only be done after the car is completely assembled and driven a short distance to settle the suspension.