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Classic/Antique Car Repair/1940 Buick radius bar

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Expert: - 11/10/2009


Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I purchased a 1940 Buick and found out the rear radius bar has been cut off.There are no mounts to reattach a new bar.Can you tell me what I can do to repair this and what will happen if I drive the car without this bar connected?

ANSWER: This a "find a good welder" problem. Driving without it is a bit dangerous as it is this bar that keeps the rear end in alignment.
Brad

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Do I just have him weld a bar across the bottom of the car? I don't have any of the brackets that it bolts to.I see that the radius bar has bushings on both sides according to my service manual.

Answer
The bar needs to have a pivot on each end that will allow the rear end to travel up and down while holding the rear end in alignment. When the installation is made the car should be on a front end rack so that the tracking can be checked and set as the brackets are welded in place.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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