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Why take the weight off the wheels?

Dibbons

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La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico
Previous owner of my '72 project Satellite Sebring Plus lowered the front suspension down so low it sits on the rubber bumper stops. It's long overdue to get it back to stock height. According to the factory service manual, push on the bumpers and release them on the down stroke, measure A and B, calculate A minus B (which should be 1 5/8 inches), and turn clockwise to raise or counterclockwise to lower. Then do the same to the other side. No mention of taking the weight of the vehicle off the front suspension during the adjustments.

On the other hand, I read on internet forums and such how certain people are giving instructions to unload the front suspension during adjustments and I wonder why they are contradicting the factory service manual? What happens if I just turn the adjusting bolt with the vehicle in it's normal stance, will I break somethin'?
 
When turning the torsion bar adj bolts, I always spray them with lubricant first. Now when lowering the height, I don't take the weight off as the bolts turn easily. But when raising the ride height, I take the weight off, as you are lifting the weight with the bolts. I have seen them twist in two before. They get old, corroded, and weak after 40 plus years.
 
The FSM never planned on these suspensions lasting 40 years. Rust and corrosion weakens the bolts. I have heard of stripping the threads or snapping the bolts when trying to adjust them while loaded.
 
Use some anti seize on the bolts and the nub at the top and you shouldn't have any problems.
 
I sprayed the bolts and held the bumper up to take some of the stress off while a buddy with a breaker bar loosened the bolts a half a turn, then we made about 15 full turns to get the front end off the bump stops. No more bashing into the Mexican speed bumps now. Actually looks I little meaner with the chassis ground clearance, gives the impression that it actually has a suspension now. Had no choice than to pump up the air shocks from the recommended unloaded pressure of 30 PSI to 70 PSI. I would normally only add pressured to the shocks to level a loaded trunk, but I need to save my oil pan and exhaust system from any more damage.
 
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