Frustrated installing torsion bars

[oCancerPatiento]

I am finally reinstall my suspension and torsion bars after a few years and dont quite remember how it was when I took it apart. Every where I read it says I need a puller to reinstall the torsion bars. When I go to install them it looks like there is two possibilities the "pork chop" will go. If my front lower control arm is at full drop with no spindle attached to it, do I still need to put tension on the torsion bars? Or can I have the key twisted upward and have everything slide together with no tool needed? I tried using the 5 ton puller that is recommended but it keeps slipping out of the indent in the key. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Deception]

Re: Frustrated installing torsion bars

I just took mine apart to do coil overs. I didnt want to pay $100 for the puller tool when I wouldnt need it again so, I undid the spindle and moved he lower a arm all the way down. That made the pork chop and bolt with the flat plate loose too take it apart. Put the a arm all the way down put the pork chop in with the long side up and slide the bar from the back of the truck through the pork chop to the a arm then slide in the flat place with the bolt off then screw in the bolt. I hope this makes sense.

 

[henry283]

You can buy the install tool pretty cheep on ebay. You have to have preload in the key when installing

 

[oCancerPatiento]

Re: Frustrated installing torsion bars

So if I have the control arm all the way possibly down I can install everything with no clamp? There is no tension on the torsion bar or adjuster bolt until I start to push up on the control arm. This seems like it will work to me. Everyone else needs a installer tool because they still have the control arm attached to the spindle which makes the torsion bar have tension on it when installing. This seems like it would work. Please tell me if I am wrong.

 

[jklein68]

Re: Frustrated installing torsion bars

You can unload the lower control arm which will allow you to install the key without the tool. You'll have to disconnect your lower ball joint which is also a PITA. Either way it's easier to get in with the front tires off of the ground versus under full load.

I modified a C-Clamp to go over the torsion bar mount and catch the edge of the key so that I could turn it up and get the stop in. It was pretty easy after some practice.

 

[Deception]

Re: Frustrated installing torsion bars

So if I have the control arm all the way possibly down I can install everything with no clamp? There is no tension on the torsion bar or adjuster bolt until I start to push up on the control arm. This seems like it will work to me. Everyone else needs a installer tool because they still have the control arm attached to the spindle which makes the torsion bar have tension on it when installing. This seems like it would work. Please tell me if I am wrong.

Yea you can do it with the spindle not attached to the upper a arm and the tire off of course. My steering rods where and the cv axel unbolted from my front axel FYI i dont know if that might make a differance or not but you should be able to put it back the way I sad and use a jack to get lift the lower a arm and reattach the upper a arm.

 

[atkonkler]

Re: Frustrated installing torsion bars

Where are you at in Blaine you clown I could come help!