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Old 12-10-2015 | 06:49 AM
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Rebel 1
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Default Torsion Bar Suspension

Hi Everyone,
I have no idea how the suspension was on this tank when it was new. The guy I bought it from added all metal suspension arms, wheels tracks and gear boxes. I cleaned off the suspension arms with my air compressor and took these close up photos. The arms screw onto the hull. There appears to be a couple holes in the hull around where the arms attach to it. I don't know which holes are factory or if they were all drilled figuring out the best way for the torsion bars to be placed.

The bar goes through the hull and has a 90 degree bend in it. The back side of the suspension are has a hollow spot between the outer edges where the torsion bar is retained and rides in. It looks like a very simple thing to do if anyone wants to copy it. Of course, with any modification there's always a bit of trial and error involved in getting it to work the way you want. The suspension is in great condition and I have no plans to tear it down to show a more detailed view of it, so these are the best photos I can share with you at this time.

The idler wheel in front is mounted on an eccentric arm that is held at its furthest location to keep tension on the tracks. the first photo shows the wheel putting the maximum tension on the track and the next photo shows the idler moved back so the track can be removed. Once again, I don't know how the track is tensioned on a new Leo from Heng Long. I hope these photos will help anyone that wants to convert their Leo to torsion bars from the stock suspension.
These images show multiple holes in the hull and the torsion bar exiting to be captivated in the swing arm
The next two images show the torsion bar as it is located in the swing arms.
This image shows the idler fully extended and the next is retracted so the track can be easily removed.
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Last edited by Rebel 1; 12-10-2015 at 06:58 AM.