Re: Suspension Question

Posted by BH On 2014/1/22 14:51:54

markincoosbay -

Keep in mind that the 57 Windsor that you like so much had longitudinally mounted torsion bars. Chrysler continued to use that orientation up into the 1970s.

I think the problem with the Volare/Aspen and later Chrysler vehicles is that the bars were mounted transversely - much shorter. While that set-up might have been adequate for those compact cars, which were replacing the Valiant/Dart, I personally found it to be a terrible match to the rear leaf spring suspension in their later, "full-size" cars, which are nowhere near the size/weight of a Packard.

There might be some tweaks you could try on the stock Packard suspension, but you really should drive the car before even thinking about going down that avenue.

BTW, if you like torsion bars, you should take a 55-56 Packard with Torsion-Level for a drive sometime.