Single spring for manual recline

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat having first and second retainers. A seatback includes a lower cross-member extending between the first and second retainers. An aperture is located in the lower cross-member. A single torsion bar extends between the first and second retainers and is operably coupled therewith. The torsion bar includes an intermediate portion having first and second engagement portions, which are insertably engaged with the aperture. First and second linear portions extend between the first retainer and the first engagement portion and the second retainer and the second engagement portion, respectively. First and second distal ends are configured to engage the first and second retainers, respectively, which induces a torsional resistance in the torsion bar when the seatback is displaced from a zero torsion position. The torsion bar is at the zero torsion position when the seatback is displaced rotationally forward from a design position.