Torsion Key Questions

[Diddy74]

When I go over bumps or rough pavement I feel a clunk that feels like its coming from under the floorboards.All components on the front suspension are tight and working ok, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. I checked the end links and sway bar bushings lastnight no wear or breakage. I've searched the threads and from what ive seen pads can wear out or the keys themselves. I did notice one of the bolts were out more on one side.. Does this indicate that its loose? The front end is sitting level as far as I can tell. Besides replacing the keys has anyone made any adjustments or added some type of padding that stopped the clunking?

 

[Ray Lobato]

The torsion bar adjuster bolts are different because the torsions bars are different lengths. The longer bar has to be torqued more because of its length, so the bolt goes in more. There is a picture of the 2 torsion bars in my picture gallery on the 2nd page. You have a 99 so your bracket setup is different than mine, but you have a square Teflon pad under your torsion bar adjuster, where as the Teflon strip on my truck iis on the torsion bar adjuster itself.
The sure way to see if the Teflon pad is worn is to pull the torsion bar out and look where the adjuster actually rests on the Teflon pad. This isn't hard to do, but you will need a gear puller to help get the torsion bar support nut out and back in. The second page of my picture gallery has a lot of pictures dealing with the torsion bars and the adjusters.
Hope this helps. Let us know if you have any problems.

 

[ma96782]

Ray,

Your photos don't come out.

Aloha, Mark

 

[Ray Lobato]

The photos in my gallery work. The photos on my registry don't.
Click on my name on the upper right hand corner of any post the click on "view users photo gallery" Go to the second page and you can see the torsion bars and other things.

 

[Diddy74]

ok went for an alignment and everything up front was tight( ball joints, tie rods, links bushings,etc). the torsion components were all ok, but the "clunk" still remains. I'm havent a clue where its coming from. Now the slightest movement causes it.. it doesnt have to be a substantial bump. but it seems like something is loose, brake calipers maybe?

 

[Turdle]

ok went for an alignment and everything up front was tight( ball joints, tie rods, links bushings,etc). the torsion components were all ok, but the "clunk" still remains. I'm havent a clue where its coming from. Now the slightest movement causes it.. it doesnt have to be a substantial bump. but it seems like something is loose, brake calipers maybe?

Yes
Check the caliper bracket mounting bolts, on the inside of the spindle. They will sometimes work loose.

Swaybar endlinks?( edit-- oops) shock mount bushings?

 

[Diddy74]

Makes sense, I had brakes done over a month ago and who know how they put them back, wouldve done them myself but inspection was already overdue and they wouldnt pass me with out them so.....shock mounts might also be the culprit but when I was under and checked for play didnt seem like anything was loose. i'll be sure to take all advice and check....

 

[Diddy74]

Still cant find the source of the "clunk" When the truck is parked and I try to bounce the front end to reproduce the noise NOTHING!!! Lifted the front everything is tight. I'm really confused where its coming from...I can only think the shock mounts are loose or worn, but even when it was on the lift when I went for alignment no play at all..I guess it wouldnt be apparent unless the weight of the vehicle is on them....anyone have a clue?

 

[CDW6212R]

You did check the caliper bolts yes? Those are must be tight parts, be sure. The torsion bar rear pad areas aren't as much of an issue as the 95-97's, but can be. How many miles have you got there, and how much corrosion is there? Good luck,

 

[Diddy74]

Well ive checked everything and it looks like it was the obvious.....dang shocks went bad!. Only reason I didnt think that was the problem was they are just over year old and just closing in on 10,000mi ! I got Monroe Sensatracs and they were serving their purpose well. Friday I went to have my tire replaced after a bad blowout(no thanks to crappy handling and a typical NYC pothole) and while they had it up on the lift for alignment the guy showed me the one shock up front and the rear was leaking! :fire: Why no one else saw this?...well needless to say the ride was getting progressively worse and no other suspension components were showing wear or malfuntion. The clunk must haven trying to tell me thats where the problem was. I'm going over to the place I bought them and have them changed I do believe Monroe has a lifetime warrenty. I know some guys on this board swear by the Ranchos, would they be a good investment for city/highway driving? Then again some of these streets would qualify for "offroad" :fire: :roll: