Picture of "factory" traction bars on a LARK?

[Allan Songer]

I have found PLENTY of pics of the Avanti/Hawk style but not a single one of the LARK/Sedan style with the curved radius rods. I traded some AFB and WCFB cores to Dave Theibeault for a rear sway bar and traction bar kit for the '56 Champion project and am a bit confused about exactly how to mount this traction bar kit.

I have been assured that the mounting bracket is welded in EXACTLY the same place as the HAWK/Avanti. And the frame bracket has to be mounted in the same MANNER. What confuses me is that the bar can be mounted in EITHER direction--with the "straight" part that is about 6" long at the axle end OR the frame end. Which is correct?

If anyone has a good photo of the factory LARK traction bars I would be VERY gateful if you could either post them here or email them to me.

THANK YOU!!

[nels]

Allan,
The short end goes toward the front of the car. I think Car Life has a good shot under a Lark. Its the one with the R2 Wagon road test.

[Johnnywiffer]

One on the left is the Hawk, Motor Trend, Jun '63. On the right, Lark, Jan '64 Hot Rod. Hope this helps.

John

[klifton1]

I thought they mounted on two ears on top of the axel and went forward to the frame ???? There is a good picture of them on a 63 wagon in the Sept. 88 issue of the Turning Wheels.
Klif

55 Speedster

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by Johnnywiffer



One on the left is the Hawk, Motor Trend, Jun '63. On the right, Lark, Jan '64 Hot Rod. Hope this helps.

John

I think those are rear anti sway bars. I don't see traction bars in those photos.

[StudeDave57]

quote:Originally posted by Dick Steinkamp
I think those are rear anti sway bars. I don't see traction bars in those photos.

No thinkin' about it- those are indeed sway bars!!!

Either that or my Packard has one really rare option on her...




StudeDave [8D]
V/P San Diego County SDC
San Diego, Ca

https://www.studebakersandiego.com

'54 Commander Regal 4dr 'Ruby'
'57 Commander DeLuxe 2dr 'Baby'
'57 Champion Custom 2dr 'Jewel'
'57 Parkview 'Betsy' (she's a 2dr wagon...)
'58 Packard sedan 'Cleo'
'65 Cruiser 'Sweet Pea'

[klifton1]

That is correct Dick.
Klif

55 Speedster

[nels]

Anybody ever notice that the Super Lark in the photo has five leaf springs not six and the shock doesn't look like a factory adjustable type either.

[64V-K7]

You can see them ,but just barely... There appears to be a bend(?) in the one on the right



Bob Johnstone

[StudeRich]

If Nels says the short section after the bend goes forward on an ACTUAL traction bar, that's good enough for me! [^]

StudeRich -Studebakers Northwest Ferndale, WA

[Allan Songer]

This has been a great help--thanks, guys!

Tomorrow morning I weld them to the axle tubes.

I have an "empty" axle housing--how careful to I need to be about not heating up the tube too much? Should I just do 1" at a time and let the tube cool? I sure don't want to warp the tube . . .

[studebaker-R2-4-me]

I would tack the bracket in place then weld 3/4" at a time. Front back and then in the middle then the opposite side. You may even consider a top pass from the bead to the bracket. When I install my traction bars I checked for penetration and there was no flaking in the tube.

Here the finished traction bar.



When your welding the frame mount,Clean the frame and tack the mount in place with the traction bar in place. Remove the traction bar to weld.



Remove the rear seat and back cushion and cut the floor with a thin zip wheel and peel back the flap



Give the mount a good weld



This is a tough weld because the leaf spring gets in the way (I'm left handed) Seems to me I had to use my right hand for this one.



Close up the flap and weld it shut. I painted the floor when it was still hot. It's like it never happened.





Good luck!


1964 GT Hawk R2 Clone
Oakville, Ontario.

Hamilton Chapter
See you at Niagara 2008 Crossroads Zone Meet July 18-20

[nels]

Nice over head weld bead, wish I could do that.
A word of caution, if you are using non adjustable bars you should load the rear springs with the car weight before welding in place. They will change position by 1/2 to 3/4 inch loded to unloaded.

[th12t33n]

Technically speaking, what exactally do those traction bars, and sway bars do?

62 Lark Hardtop, 289 v8 stude power.

[Tom Bredehoft]

The sway bars sorta keep the body from leaning on a curve, or keep it from leaning as much as it would without.

The traction bar....when the engine goes vroooom and turns the wheel, the wheel pushes against the springs and pushes the car forward, but because the springs are flexible, the rear axle twists backwards, bending the springs in an S shape. Traction bars help reduce this backward twist.

[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Bothcars4.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe
'55 President (V Y6) State Sedan
(Under Construction) 142 hrs.
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars