Torsion Bar Removal and adjustment

[Keach]

Hello Folks, I am trying to adjust my torsion bars and have some questions. My adjustment bolts are off with the drivers side being fully inset and the passengers only half way inset. I tried a longer bolt in the drivers side, however did not get anymore lift. I then tried removing the bar and turning it 1/6th of a turn. When I did this my removal tool couldn't push the adjuster back in enough to insert the metal brace that the adjuster bolt screws into. I did this with the drivers front jacked up off the ground. If I lower the tire back down, will this eliminate enough tension to allow me to make the 1/6th turn? Am I doing something wrong? I've tried a search and haven't been able to answer my questions. All you help is greatly appreciated.

Keach

 

[ACBlessing]

I'm with you on this one...same problem here. I hope someone wiser than us gives us the answer.

Just wondering though...what do you mean taking the bar out and turning it 1/6th of a turn?

-AC

 

[Keach]

If I'm not mistaken, the bar ends have an octagional shape, so if you mark the original location of the bar, remove it and turn the notches down 1,(it was 5 or 6 notches, like a stop sign), I've turned it 1/6th of a turn. I know Gerald knows some answers, Gerald! HELP!

Stacy

 

[GJarrett]

Hey Keach!
If your torsion bar is inserted 1/6th turn off in the first place like mine was you can remove it and rotate it and reinsert it. BUT, you can't go further. As you know mine was wrong (as others can read about by reading my article by clicking on "Gerald's Truck" below and paging down to the second post) so I was able to remove it and rotate it.

However, when I tried to get more than 1.5" of lift by removing and rotating it again, there was simply way too much pressure to get the adjuster bar brace back in. That sounds like what happened to you. Did you jack the front up by the crossmember/frame, or the tire? The tire has to be left hanging in air with the suspension completely unloaded to be able to crank the torsion bar that far and get the brace back in. You have to lift the vehicle by the frame.

If it doesn't work you'll have to do what I did and use a longer bolt. Be sure to grind the end round to match what the stock bolt looks like or it will grab into the arm and break off.

If the longer bolt won't give you extra lift (it has to, since it is longer) the only thing that could mean is that you've reached the limit of the torsion bar itself, meaning you don't have the strong "B" bars. You'll have to buy a set of "B" bars and that will crank you up a little further.

 

[Keach]

Hey Gerald, I lifted it from the crossmember. I also know that I've got B bars. Which way did you rotate the torsion bar? Clockwise or counter-clockwise. Maybe I've reached the limit. Its 12 1/2 inches from the wheel lip to the top center of the exterior fender well. I'll play some more when i get home. Sorry I've been out so long, we had a baby girl and thats taken all my time.

Keach