Author Topic: Having a torsion bar spring fabricated - suggestions? For wagon tailgate  (Read 4533 times)

scoot

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Altadena
  • Posts: 2355
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
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

707dieseldean

  • Full Member
  • Junior Level
  • *
  • USA, CA, Santa Rosa
  • Posts: 37
Get a hold of these guys:
https://bettsspring.com/
If they can't, they will know who can  ;)
69 280SL / Manual 4 speed
 904 - Lower Midnight Blue
 158 - Upper White/Grey
 145- Vellum Interior

scoot

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Altadena
  • Posts: 2355
Thanks!
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

scoot

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Altadena
  • Posts: 2355
Here's a picture of what needs to be fabricated...
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

scoot

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Altadena
  • Posts: 2355
Get a hold of these guys:
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."
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

mdsalemi

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, NC, Davidson
  • Posts: 7056
You neglected to mention the make and model of your friends "American Station Wagon"...
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

scoot

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Altadena
  • Posts: 2355
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.
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

mdsalemi

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, NC, Davidson
  • Posts: 7056
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.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

scoot

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Altadena
  • Posts: 2355
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.
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

waltklatt

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA
  • Posts: 1132
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.

scoot

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Altadena
  • Posts: 2355
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.

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
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California