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Speedster body doesn't sit level........Help?

FM Former Member
My brother-in-laws speedster sits 1-1/2" higher in the right front compared to the left front? We measured from the ground to the center of the fender well on both front fenders. We then put it up on ramps and measured from the ground to the bottom of the torsion bar tubes on both sides, and from the ground to the shock mounts on each side. Everything under the car appears to be level. However the body is still 1-1/2" higher on the passenger side front fender. The rear is level or equal on each side.
I talked to Kirk at VS and he thinks it's the torsion bars.
To adjust the torsion bar there are two bolts on the center of the upper torsion bar tube. One is parallel to the ground and one is perpendicular to the ground and on the lower torsion bar tube there is a single bolt in the center.

Question: How do we adjust the torsion bar? Do we have to take the weight off the car or can they be adjusted with the weight on the car? Which ones do you adjust, the one perpendicular to the ground or the one parallel to the ground? Which one raises it and which one lowers it? Do you tighten the Allen screw in or loosen it to lower the front?
Sorry for the rambling, We compared the allen screws on my car to his and the adjustment appears to be the same?
We lubed the ball joints and the front end moves up and down fine. It just doesn't sit level. Any ideas,besides putting the fat lady in the passenger side.
Thanks, Eddie
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FM Former Member
My brother-in-laws speedster sits 1-1/2" higher in the right front compared to the left front? We measured from the ground to the center of the fender well on both front fenders. We then put it up on ramps and measured from the ground to the bottom of the torsion bar tubes on both sides, and from the ground to the shock mounts on each side. Everything under the car appears to be level. However the body is still 1-1/2" higher on the passenger side front fender. The rear is level or equal on each side.
I talked to Kirk at VS and he thinks it's the torsion bars.
To adjust the torsion bar there are two bolts on the center of the upper torsion bar tube. One is parallel to the ground and one is perpendicular to the ground and on the lower torsion bar tube there is a single bolt in the center.

Question: How do we adjust the torsion bar? Do we have to take the weight off the car or can they be adjusted with the weight on the car? Which ones do you adjust, the one perpendicular to the ground or the one parallel to the ground? Which one raises it and which one lowers it? Do you tighten the Allen screw in or loosen it to lower the front?
Sorry for the rambling, We compared the allen screws on my car to his and the adjustment appears to be the same?
We lubed the ball joints and the front end moves up and down fine. It just doesn't sit level. Any ideas,besides putting the fat lady in the passenger side.
Thanks, Eddie
execk2execk2
Hey Eddie, you are saying your beam is an adjustable one? To do it right you need to take the weight off the front end. Raise the car, loosen the bolts and lower that car just where you want it and lock it back down before you put the car on the ground.

If it's an adjustable beam there is a dimple on the bolt that goes into the leaves...

But check this out first. Sounds like you may have a frozen torsion arm. I had this on the GHIA and I had to change the whole beam and new torsion arms at the top on both sides.

Take the front of the car off the ground and secured on stands. Remove the torsion arms off the spindle so that they are only connected to the beam. When you move them to they spring back into position or do they sort of seem dead? Could be one is frozen. If it is you would need to order a new torsion arm and bearing that fits in the beam.

This happens when beams are not greased enough. I get mine done at every oil change.

Well it could be this anyway....

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  • bob
FM Former Member
Ricardo, no that's not his. His is silver. In fact I believe it's the one on Vintage Speedsters web site. The picture of the car parked with a fence post and hill in the background.At least that's the photo that was used to sell the car.

Mike, thank's, I'll give the info to my brother-in-law.
FM Former Member
if its not level on the front end there are a few things to check.

first MAKE SURE THE BALL JOINTS WERE PUT IN RIGHT- Ive seen this a bunch- you have to line up the notch in the ball joint with the notch on the control arm. If you dont the ball joint will bind!

second make sure the rear is set up level as well. If you are one spline off you can see it in the front end.

third make sure you have the same shocks on both sides- maybe someone changed one and didnt use a lowered shock or something and one side is bottoming out on shock.

you arent going to be able to adjust the beam from side to side. If you have broken springs thats a tough job your first time without ever seeing an adjusted outside the car.
hope this helps
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