Re: Is there a way to increase height in a 1956 Torsion bar suspension?

Posted by BH On 2008/12/4 10:29:20

Victor -

The OE links are not adjustable, in and of themselves, but were supplied in five incremental lengths by Packard - IDed by the presence of 0-4 grooves.

Good used ones are readily available from many vendors who have parted out cars, but there is a difference in the grind between '55 and '56. The '55's also had, originally, a washer between the shaft and the bearing at each end, which backed up a foam seal to contain special grease (same as what was used in the compensator planetery gear set). The new grind for '56 eliminated the need for grease, and the related seals and washers were omitted.

I've never seen a real need for the threaded links except to correct a minor variation in side-to-side riding height (something "in between" what the OE links allow for). I have my doubts as to how much of a usable increase you can get in the riding height with those "aftermarket" threaded links.