unloading torsion bars

i was wondering how i go about unloading my torsion bars. i know they make a special tool for this but dont have 1. how all do you guys do it

Unloading is done with just with the 5/8" tensioner bolt that is under each control arm. Are you talking about actually removing them? There is a special tool for that-http://www.arengineering.com/articles/Image18.jpg

I got lucky mine just came out by hand,worth a try before you buy a tool.

yeah im going to replace all front end bushings. so i am gonna take them out

Even with the adjusters loosened all the way (use an impact wrench for that, it's a lot faster), they were a biatch to get out using the special tool. (yes, I removed the clips first) :grin:

First one was a pain. Second one, I removed the shock and took out the UCA (since I was replacing the stock ones with the Firm Feel ones) and completely unloaded the t-bar. It was a lot easier at that point.

I don't understand how some people can be so lucky to have them come out by hand. I had to beat on mine with a sledgehammer for twenty minutes each.

Mine came out of my 150k mile Satellite by hand. It was a Texas car that was undercoated when new, though...

After taking the clips off I loosen the nut on the lower control almost all the way off and then tap the nut with a hammer. Then put a flat ply bar between the lower control and k member and the torsion slides out. I took off five or six sets this way. Works everytime.

My car is from Arizona,might have something to do with it? I just hit every thing the day before with lube and yanked it all apart by hand.

If your going to replace everything just lower the K-frame about 1-2 inches on a jack then tie a 2x4 to the inside of the K-frame and tap it forward to knock the T-bars free.

My passenger side was rusted solid. i took the whole k-frame off and tapped ti out of the cross-member by using a socket and a 3lb hammer.

Worked like a charm.

The other side came out with a vice and a hammer on the LCA.

Randy

VICE?????????????????

If you mar the bar using vice grips etc etc etc, then you will need to replace the bar. You've just created a "fracture point" and the bar will pick that spot to BREAK

I took mine out this last weekend. Just unbolted them and used a crow bar to pry them right out. Really didn't take too long once I remembered about the clip in the back.

VICE?????????????????

If you mar the bar using vice grips etc etc etc, then you will need to replace the bar. You've just created a "fracture point" and the bar will pick that spot to BREAK

I probably should have said I am replacing the bar anyway, I just needed it out at this point. (Desperation set in). With the amount of rust on it, it probably would have broken anyway. I supported it in the vice between two pieces of hardwood to prevent any nicks or cuts.

But yeah, don't nick or cut the bar and do not use heat to remove it, that changes the ductility of the steel. Good point.

Randy