Pagoda SL Group

Off Topic => Other cars => Topic started by: scoot on June 12, 2020, 14:47:30

Title: Having a torsion bar spring fabricated - suggestions? For wagon tailgate
Post by: scoot on June 12, 2020, 14:47:30
A friend is trying to replace the rusted, pitted torsion bar spring that helps support the tailgate of an American wagon.  He is unable to find shops that make such springs.  Any thoughts?  He has a (bad) sample of what it should look like and how big it should be...

thanks
Title: Re: Having a torsion bar spring fabricated - suggestions? For wagon tailgate
Post by: 707dieseldean on June 12, 2020, 17:32:15
Get a hold of these guys:
https://bettsspring.com/ (https://bettsspring.com/)
If they can't, they will know who can  ;)
Title: Re: Having a torsion bar spring fabricated - suggestions? For wagon tailgate
Post by: scoot on June 12, 2020, 17:33:52
Thanks!
Title: Re: Having a torsion bar spring fabricated - suggestions? For wagon tailgate
Post by: scoot on June 12, 2020, 19:26:43
Here's a picture of what needs to be fabricated...
Title: Re: Having a torsion bar spring fabricated - suggestions? For wagon tailgate
Post by: scoot on June 12, 2020, 23:56:49
Quote from: 707dieseldean on June 12, 2020, 17:32:15
Get a hold of these guys:
https://bettsspring.com/ (https://bettsspring.com/)
If they can't, they will know who can  ;)
...unfortunately not...

"Hello and thank you for contacting us through our website. Unfortunately we cannot help you. I do not know anyone that builds torsion bars so I can’t point you in the right direction either. Sorry we couldn’t help."
Title: Re: Having a torsion bar spring fabricated - suggestions? For wagon tailgate
Post by: mdsalemi on June 15, 2020, 18:48:19
You neglected to mention the make and model of your friends "American Station Wagon"...
Title: Re: Having a torsion bar spring fabricated - suggestions? For wagon tailgate
Post by: scoot on June 15, 2020, 18:51:21
Quote from: mdsalemi on June 15, 2020, 18:48:19
You neglected to mention the make and model of your friends "American Station Wagon"...
I wasn't sure it was relevant. 
It's a 1965 Ford full-sized wagon.
An albatross.
Title: Re: Having a torsion bar spring fabricated - suggestions? For wagon tailgate
Post by: mdsalemi on June 15, 2020, 21:19:42
There are a number of old Ford clubs around and about, and I bet there are some forums too. Your pal needs to start searching for the clubs and forums, and posting something there to maybe find out that information...

There are also some older parts suppliers around specializing in old Fords...whatever Ford made, they made a LOT of them.
Title: Re: Having a torsion bar spring fabricated - suggestions? For wagon tailgate
Post by: scoot on June 15, 2020, 21:25:43
Quote from: mdsalemi on June 15, 2020, 21:19:42
There are a number of old Ford clubs around and about, and I bet there are some forums too. Your pal needs to start searching for the clubs and forums, and posting something there to maybe find out that information...
There are also some older parts suppliers around specializing in old Fords...whatever Ford made, they made a LOT of them.
Unfortunately not the case.  This is an un-loved car within the Ford community and my friend is really good at searching internet, forums, etc.   Everything was a strike-out and now it comes down to finding a place that will fabricate a torsion spring using a sample as the guide.  It's a long shot that I'm asking the Pagoda community if "anyone knows a spring fabricator that makes something that looks like this..."

Believe me, he's tried, I've tried.
Title: Re: Having a torsion bar spring fabricated - suggestions? For wagon tailgate
Post by: waltklatt on June 18, 2020, 17:47:15
Would the sedan trunk torsion bars work?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/64-FORD-GALAXIE-500-TRUNK-LID-HINGES-WITH-TORSION-SPRING-RODS-BARS-OEM-SET-WORKS/113258149841

Ford would use an off shelf item for the wagons.

Check the junkyards in SouthWest.
Title: Re: Having a torsion bar spring fabricated - suggestions? For wagon tailgate
Post by: scoot on June 18, 2020, 17:57:40
Quote from: waltklatt on June 18, 2020, 17:47:15
Would the sedan trunk torsion bars work?
I wouldn't think so but I'll forward the link to my friend.  Tailgates are really heavy.  And this one is a single torsion bar rather than a set of them.  Who knows.

Quote from: waltklatt on June 18, 2020, 17:47:15
Check the junkyards in SouthWest.
:-)  That's where he got the sample one that's pitted.  The original one had decayed to the point of falling apart completely.  But he was able to find a 65 wagon in a yard and get the (rusty, pitted) torsion bar from it.  That what he wants to have re-fabricated.

Thanks Walter!
Scott