removal of t-bars

[donaldthacker]

I am considering changing my "D" rated torsion bars to "B" rated bars. When I did the 4 in. suspension lift we did not completely remove them. I have been told that there is "special ford tool" needed to remove them. Is this true?

 

[Jefe]

How did you not remove the T-bars when doing a 4" lift? I'd think you would have at least had to remove the tension on them. All the Ford tool does is to help remove tension on them so that they can be removed. Many of us have used a 2 arm puller to do that with no problems.

 

[donaldthacker]

yea, I just loosened the tensioning bolts and left them in the lower A arm and added the lowering brackets and reset the tension. I was told I needed it to remove the bars, I would think once the tension off I could tap them out of the a a arm and then use a puller to remove the adjusting arm, if even needed.?????

 

[Jefe]

Once there is no tension on them they simply slide out of the A-arm and tensioner

 

[swak6287]

i am planning on installin g that B-rated bar that i got from u, Jefe, this weekend. any writeup?
my understanding is... use the puller and push it on the T bar, release the nut that we turn for the TT, take it all the way out, now, does the tensioner comes off then?? then, release the pressure on the puller and the bar will just fall towards the ground and we can slide it out.
correct??

 

[CDW6212R]

Uh, how about a Ford Shop Foreman's advice. Last Fall I asked my Ford man about the special tool, before I added new "B" bars. He told me that they don't use that special tool.

The technicians just disconnect the upper ball joint, allowing the lower control arm to swing down freely. I did that, and it worked very well. Just place the vehicle up high enough so that the arm can swing down to about 45 degrees from horizontal. Place a floor jack under the lower arm beforehand, and lower it until the torsion bar is loose.

I didn't notice any difference with the stiffer bars. I thought it would be less likely to bottom out with the "B" bars. Good luck,
DonW

 

[Jefe]

I have also used that method to remove them, and while it was easy to remove, it seems very unsafe getting the A-arm back into place, but I only had two jackstands under the rocksliders and the rear tires on the ground. As I was jacking it up the a-arm & floor jack wanted to push the truck to the side and off the jackstands.

 

[CDW6212R]

There is only a short range of movement for the torsion bar, from initial tension to full tension. Yes, if the lower arm is at a very low angle when tension begins, then there is a side force that will make it unstable.

This method is great for using when the lower arm is generally level. When tension is started, the lower arm is not close to vertical, so most of the pressure from the jack pushes the arm up, more than sideways.

I was going lower, so that wasn't an issue. If the lower arm has to swing down very low to loosen the bar, then a tool may be worth fighting to put tension on the bar. Good luck,
DonW