Torsion spring adjustment apparatus

A torsion bar adjustment apparatus for use in a motor vehicle having a torsion bar suspension, said adjustment apparatus comprising:

• a structural support member;
• an adjuster seat disposed on said structural support member;
• a support nut disposed within said structural support member;
• an adjuster bolt disposed within said support nut and having a contact tip at one end;
• an adjuster having an outer surface for seating against said adjuster seat, a radially extending adjustment arm for engaging said contact tip of said adjuster bolt, and a non-circular aperture for receiving one end of a torsion bar therein, said adjuster bolt being operative to adjust said torsion bar to a predetermined orientation and preload;
• and
• a resilient pad disposed on said outer surface of said adjuster and comprising a fabric mat infused with a synthetic rubber for improved vibration isolation and durability of said resilient pad, said resilient pad being operative to reduce noise generated by movement of the torsion bar suspension.

A torsion bar suspension for use in motor vehicle, said suspension comprising:

• a structural support member;
• an adjuster disposed within said structural support member and having an non-circular aperture therein;
• a resilient pad disposed between said adjuster and said structural support member, said resilient pad comprising a synthetic rubber sheet for vibration isolation and a fabric mat for improved durability of said resilient pad;
• a wheel support member;
• a lower control arm transversely extending from a chassis member to said wheel support member and having a non-circular aperture therein;
• a torsion bar extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said motor vehicle, said torsion bar having opposite ends matingly engaged with respective non-circular apertures of said lower control arm and said adjuster, whereby said resilient pad is operative to reduce noise generated by the operation of the torsion bar suspension.