Keith Poster Jr., age 15, of Brownsville, Tex.,for his question:rw J,0

HOW DOES TORSION BAR SUSPENSION WORK?

Torsion bar suspension is a method of absorbing shock in automobiles. When a car with coil springs hits a bump, the coils press closer together and absorb the shock. In torsion suspension, a torsion bar replaces the coil in the front end of the car.

A torsion bar is actually a coiled spring that has been straightened. The bar has great elasticity and can withstand the same amount of stress as a spring. But, whereas a spring presses together to absorb shock, a torsion bar is subjected to torsion or twisting.

A torsion bar is made up of a steel rod attached to an arm from the front wheel. When the car strikes a bump, the torsion bar twists to absorb the shock.

Torsion bars take up less room than coil springs.

When a car wheel hits a bump, the twisting and untwisting of the torsion bar helps to hold the wheel on the road and to keep the car level.