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 . . .
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 . . .
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 ! !
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 !
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 !
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 . . .
No, the K-member is still in the car . . . for another day . . . the weatherman was right, it was hot and humid today ! ! !
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 . . .
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 . . .
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 ! !
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 !
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 !
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 . . .
No, the K-member is still in the car . . . for another day . . . the weatherman was right, it was hot and humid today ! ! !