torsion bar install what am I doing wrong?

[Sixpactogo]

I remember having to remove the jounce bumpers from under my upper control arms to get the T bars in since mine were new and wouldn't allow the bars to slide in easily.

 

[copper67sat]

I did mine last year as part of a suspension overhaul. I left the upper ball joint disconnected from the spindle, LCA pivot nut loose, front strut bar nut loose and torsion bar adjusters backed off. Greased the ends of the new t-bars and they went in fairly easily.

 

[Kern Dog]

Lower control arm needs to be lowered as far as you can. Adjuster backed off.

Yes, this is standard practice and it surprises me that it needs to be mentioned.

Torsion Bar install basics.
If the upper control arm is installed to the body the rebound bumper needs to be removed.

I've read and heard this before but have not had to remove the UCA upper bumpstop before.

Lower control arm shaft nut loose.
Strut rod to K-frame nut loose helps a ton.

Interesting. I've never done this once.

Torsion bar adjustment nut backed all the way off.
At this point you should be able to rotate the lower control arm torsion bar attachment shaft by hand to slip the arm in.

For stock torsion bars that I never have any interest in using again, I have used these before:

Of course, I did release the tension on the bars by backing off the adjusters fully.

 

[davek]

Torsion Bar install basics.
If the upper control arm is installed to the body the rebound bumper needs to be removed.
Lower control arm shaft nut loose.
Strut rod to K-frame nut loose helps a ton.
Torsion bar adjustment nut backed all the way off.
At this point you should be able to rotate the lower control arm torsion bar attachment shaft by hand to slip the arm in.

Thank you @T2R9 /Jeff all I had to do was loosen the shaft bolt and they went in. You said dont tighten them until the car is on the ground, does the motor need to be in before tightening them? When do I tighten the t torsion bar bolt that gos through the LCA? Thanks again

 

[hunt2elk]

Thank you @T2R9 /Jeff all I had to do was loosen the shaft bolt and they went in. You said dont tighten them until the car is on the ground, does the motor need to be in before tightening them? When do I tighten the t torsion bar bolt that gos through the LCA? Thanks again

Yes, don't fully tighten them until the engine is installed and the whole car is back together. Get your ride height set fairly close as well before torquing them down.

 

[eldubb440]

Thank you @T2R9 /Jeff all I had to do was loosen the shaft bolt and they went in.

post 6

 

[WileE]

Thank you @T2R9 /Jeff all I had to do was loosen the shaft bolt and they went in. You said dont tighten them until the car is on the ground, does the motor need to be in before tightening them? When do I tighten the t torsion bar bolt that gos through the LCA? Thanks again

That's the ride height adjusting bolt. Apply a little grease to the tip. It is adjusted when ALL the drivetrain, interior, EVERYTHING is on the car.

 

[davek]

Thanks to All

 

[threewood]

Tape a note to the windshield reminding you to tighten the suspension components so you don't forget before your first drive.

 

[Matthew J]

Is the rationale for keeping the LCA shaft nut loose to get the bushing in a neutral (i.e. not twisted) condition at normal ride height?

 

[T2R9]

Is the rationale for keeping the LCA shaft nut loose to get the bushing in a neutral (i.e. not twisted) condition at normal ride height?

Yes

 

[davek]

ok my next question will the arm come down once I put the car down on the ground. That are is were the torsion bar tensioner bolt hits, the bolt that gos threw the lca. pass side is good but dr side is up.

 

[T2R9]

That is not clocked right. Is the torsion bar in? If so remove it and rotate that down like the other side and put the bar back in.

 

[davek]

Yep the torsion bar is in. When I loosened the shaft bolt it went up.