Hot Rods Parallel Torsion Bar Rear Suspension.

I am currently restoring a late 1940's Kurtis Kraft midget. Many of these cars ran a Parallel Torsion bar rear suspension. I am in need of pictures or diagrams on how to set this suspension up. Any help that any fellow HAMB members can give me would be greatly appreciated.

 

Have you tried the Kurtis official page on FB?

 

Yes I have tried the Kurtis Kraft site, not a great deal on information there concerning the parallel torsion bar suspension as far as set up and photos. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

I didn't know they were parallel bar cars. I did find some bare pictures at Hemmings. https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2018/04/01/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1946-kurtis-kraft-midget-racer

 

This one might be better:https://www.blacktopmagazine.com/4829/1947-kurtis-kraft-midget-racer/

I found these by searching Google for images of Kurtis Kraft midgets.

 

Thanks for the help. The pictures do help.

 

not sure about pictures,but the important part is one of the torsion arms needs a shackle mounting it to the radius rod/birdcage.The parallel bar cars I had,the left arm mounted without the shackle and served as the locating link for side to side motion.The right side arm had the shackle[usually very short,1 1/2" to 2 " between bolts]that allowed the arms to travel through their arcs without binding

 

Not a Midget, but the same principle. full]4899429[/ATTACH]

 

as far as actual race set up,I'd jack up the front axle in the center with a socket on the pad of the floor jack-once the front wheel were off the ground I would adjust the rear torsion bars so the back of the chassis was level.Let the front end down,move floor jack and socket to the rear axle,jack up under the center section,I would the adjust the front weight jack bolts so with the right rear tire just barely touching the ground,the left rear tire would be about an inch off the ground.always seemed to be a good starting point

 

Thanks for the help. Your explanation makes it clear.

 

Great explanation of the set up. It is really a very big help. Thanks for taking the time to help me out it is greatly appreciated.

 

Pretty much the setup we ran on my spring front car.

 

Might check with wicarnut on this board. He is an old time midget guy and is currently restoring a Kurtis copy that is parallel rear.

 

This midget is also a spring front car. So the information you gave me on setting up the rear will come in very helpful. There is not two many guys that remember the parallel torsion rear set up. They all seem familiar with the cross torsion suspension. Thanks again for you help.

 

Thanks for the advice. I will look up wicarnut for some information. Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

@wicarnut are you able to help op? Thanks.

 

I suggested the Keyons, I don't have the parts/info he's looking for, the car I'm restoring, I went to a cross spring in back as that's what is was in 1948, built all the parts from old pictures and looking at old cars. the original KK cars had cross spring or parallel bars in back, cross bars/back started up in early 70's, maybe even late 60's.

 

Just an aside, this is the same "setup" we all did back before scales were in every shop up here in the NE for dirt modifieds. Interesting how what worked was pretty much known everywhere.

 

Dave thanks for the help. I like the old way of setting up a car.

 

Bttt

 

Bttt

 

Marty is that something you built? I am interested in who makes those bars and arms. Also would like to see the front end setup.

I am wanting to put the same setup on the front of my coupe project.

Lynn


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Lynn, The bars and arms came from Schroeder, about the time Gary sold the business. The arms and stops, were blanks that had been splined, slotted and drilled for the pinch clamp. I made the supports that welded to the frame. All of the info is covered in the Spalding thread below, you can search there. Good luck with your project.

 

Beautiful

 

Marty, thanks for the help and advice. It is very helpful, and much appreciated. Wood n one

 

Marty-what's the right front axle to torsion mount look like?Whats taking care of the width change as the arms travel through their arc?Great looking set up

 

The passenger side arm is slotted, just like the original Spalding Roadster.

 

Thanks!-at one time Dragmaster did some T-roadster kits with parallel torsion bars and if my old memory is right ,I think they mounted the front of the bars in rubber bushings and let the flex take care of it!!!

 

Thanks Marty, I will look for the Spalding thread.


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