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trouble removing torsion bar from crossmember

Here's the post from my "fun" at removing the torsion bar - Driver side . . .



We have success . . . after 3 hours . . . ugh

The torsion bars were doing their darnest to revolt against their removal from the Belvedere - but I wasn't going to let that happen. So the bars weren't even remotely interested in moving. But I read a post about using wood blocks . . . a poor mans removal tool . . . so I thought "what the heck, we'll give it a try".

So I cut (2) 2x3 boards and cut a groove in them across the grain - this would provide more strength then with the grain -
as seen in the following photo:

By cutting the octagon shape in the wood it provided for at least 4 points of contact - I hoped the bottoms did too to make it 6 - oh well . . .

108210-dfaacab6cc997a26321ec9674989a9a9.jpg


Next I clamped the torsion bar into the groove with (2) large clamps to squeeze the bar - the pressure would ( hopefully) help pull the bar out of the LCA . . .

As indicated in the photo, the torsion bars were not hit, only the wood was hit allowing it to transfer the force ( safely ) to the torsion bars - see pic for location of hammer striking area . . .

108204-024ad9dab58d8bcca72ca47a4d081136.jpg


Driver side - about 15 minutes later . . . we have success . . . However, on the passenger side, it took me over 2 hours to get that side out. Talk about being stubborn ! !

108205-df2eccd78255ade52af703d1214bb597.jpg


And the end result . . . we have (2) torsion bars fully removed from the car ( note to self the L and R went in first and into the LCA )
Oh, the L and R are on the other side of the torsion bar . . . duh !

108208-10d97cb599fc372c85b1d46e6c5b80af.jpg


Let's see how the wood blocks faired in the process . . . un, I've seen better looking 2x4s . . . but the torsion bars were not messed up with vise grips, or scored, or damaged in any way.

Result - poor mans removal tool was a pretty good success !

108206-162dd32c6e071199e08dc0f200f14bbe.jpg


Got the Lower Control Arms removed, but something looks amiss in this photo . . . Hummm . . . .

Passenger side on the left, Driver side on the right, this does not look very good . . .

108207-8b5a1156602d8af03dd4feb9ad71c593.jpg


No, the K-member is still in the car . . . for another day . . . the weatherman was right, it was hot and humid today ! ! !
 
Here's the post from my "fun" at removing the torsion bar - Driver side . . .



We have success . . . after 3 hours . . . ugh

The torsion bars were doing their darnest to revolt against their removal from the Belvedere - but I wasn't going to let that happen. So the bars weren't even remotely interested in moving. But I read a post about using wood blocks . . . a poor mans removal tool . . . so I thought "what the heck, we'll give it a try".

So I cut (2) 2x3 boards and cut a groove in them across the grain - this would provide more strength then with the grain -
as seen in the following photo:

By cutting the octagon shape in the wood it provided for at least 4 points of contact - I hoped the bottoms did too to make it 6 - oh well . . .

View attachment 718373

Next I clamped the torsion bar into the groove with (2) large clamps to squeeze the bar - the pressure would ( hopefully) help pull the bar out of the LCA . . .

As indicated in the photo, the torsion bars were not hit, only the wood was hit allowing it to transfer the force ( safely ) to the torsion bars - see pic for location of hammer striking area . . .

View attachment 718374

Driver side - about 15 minutes later . . . we have success . . . However, on the passenger side, it took me over 2 hours to get that side out. Talk about being stubborn ! !

View attachment 718375

And the end result . . . we have (2) torsion bars fully removed from the car ( note to self the L and R went in first and into the LCA )
Oh, the L and R are on the other side of the torsion bar . . . duh !

View attachment 718376

Let's see how the wood blocks faired in the process . . . un, I've seen better looking 2x4s . . . but the torsion bars were not messed up with vise grips, or scored, or damaged in any way.

Result - poor mans removal tool was a pretty good success !

View attachment 718377

Got the Lower Control Arms removed, but something looks amiss in this photo . . . Hummm . . . .

Passenger side on the left, Driver side on the right, this does not look very good . . .

View attachment 718378

No, the K-member is still in the car . . . for another day . . . the weatherman was right, it was hot and humid today ! ! !
Think his problem is the T-bar hanging with LCA and its jam the T-bar in the crossmember.
 
Pull the retainer clip. Use the BFH and see if the bar will go out the rear. Then use the bar as a handle to slam the LCA against the cross member and knock it off.
 
Pull the retainer clip. Use the BFH and see if the bar will go out the rear. Then use the bar as a handle to slam the LCA against the cross member and knock it off.
seeing as the part of the control arm is flapping in the Wind that's probably the only way I'm going to pull it off without cutting it, that's a good suggestion. I have had the retainer clip out since the beginning of this Fiasco
 
When pulling the t-bar out of a assembled front end its important to raise the spindle about 4 inches to unload the ends of the t-bar. The slight twisting load really helps a stuck end stay even more stuck. Need to do this when re-installing also.
 
Out the back?? the other one came out the front of the crossmember
:rofl:I'd like to know how you were able to remove the torsion bar and lower control arm as a unit with the K member still in the car, that couldn't have been easy... Gotta get the torsion bar out first then the rest is basic disassembly. Brake fluid works great for me when dealing with rusted components, sometimes a little heat is required. I've always used the clamp style removal tool, make sure you "un-load the spring" before you try and remove it..duh
 
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:rofl:I'd like to know how you were able to remove the torsion bar and lower control arm as a unit. That couldn't have been easy... Gotta get the torsion bar out first then the rest is basic disassembly. I've always used the clamp style removal tool, make sure you "un-load the spring" before you wack it..
Look at his picture... he has the K frame out!
Yer absolutely right, didn't look at the first set of photos. Still must have been a bitch tearing all that apart out of sequence... Thanks for the correction dadsbee
 
I give up. How to I close this thread?
Cut the T-bar off so you can still hit it standing in engine compartment. Get a 10 pound sledgehammer and start golf practice. Wonder if crossmember rotted inside jamming T-bar?
 
Well I ended up cutting the torsion after 2 days of frustration. I hate destroying stuff unnecessarily though, I wanted to save the torsion but I guess I will just be replacing it . I still have to pound out the half that is still stuck on the car, but at least I can proceed with the rotisserie. Thanks for all the help
 
Well I ended up cutting the torsion after 2 days of frustration. I hate destroying stuff unnecessarily though, I wanted to save the torsion but I guess I will just be replacing it . I still have to pound out the half that is still stuck on the car, but at least I can proceed with the rotisserie. Thanks for all the help
I gotsta know if you get it out. Did you hit it 5 or 6 times, feeling lucky.
 
T bars really should be replaced as a pair. I have always marked mine, but now I wonder, can a t bar be installed wrong? As in backwards, wrong side, twisting the wrong way?
 
hey guys. I'm trying to remove my torsion bars and then my entire k frame.
Question.....the bolt that determines ride height, does it come all of the way out? I have turned and turned counterclockwise, but it's very difficult, even with a pry bar
 
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