Torsion bar stuck in control arm

[dmyers87]

I'm replacing the lower control arms on my wife's truck. I got the drivers side off, pass side has a stuck bolt in the control arm sleve but that's getting cut out. I need help figuring out how to get the torsion bar out of the old control arm and in the new one. Is this something that needs pressed out or should it have fallen out when the tension was released? Plz help, trying to have back on the road by tomorrow night, monday mornin at the latest. Need it to get to my final exams for college.

 

[Turdle]

You might get a section of pipe against the front end of the bar and beat on it with a sledge. Hit frikkin hard.
We could not get one out of my oldest son's 98 mountaineer. Mountaineergreen and I worked it over in a press, even allowing it to sit under pressure while we ate lunch, then beat on it. It never did come out.

I'd replace the t bars as a pair to be sure of getting the same "spring rate" on each side. Salvage might be the best bet for them.
I think, if I recall correctly, torsion bars from a sport trac will have the firmest rate. V8 explorer would probably be the next firmest as a quick reference.

 

[dmyers87]

so would it be safe it heat the control arm up before beating it out or world it muck the bar up beyond use?

 

[Turdle]

Another idea-
see if you can get a socket on the crosmember end and hit it in both directions with an air impact. I wonder if this might help pop the corrosion loose.
If it will wiggle like a loose tooth, try this also. Maybe someone could help by wiggling while you hit the bar from the front?

Heat should not hurt the torsion bar if you heat the control arm "socket"

 

[dmyers87]

Don't have air tools. Have a battery powered impact gun but it barely does lug nuts lol.I was talkin bout heating up the socket on the control arm that the torsion bar slides into. i have both sides soaking in PB Blast now, hopefully it comes apart in the am.

 

[dmyers87]

Bit of a stupid question but does it come out the front of the control arm or out of the back? Basically, does the whole torsion bar go through the control arm or no?

 

[Turdle]

It should slide toward the rear and fall out. It is only hanging on by about 3 inches of "socket".

Try a chunk of pipe ( sacrificial pusher) and a sledge hammer. Place the end of the pipe against the t bar in the front control arm hole, beat the other end of the pipe with the hammer. Someone to hold the pipe will help.

 

[dmyers87]

I got them both out. Used my trusty propane torch, a deep well socket, and a hammer. Took a bit of heat, but they came out. Got the truck back on all 4s and it drives like a dream.