Im looking for a how to for replacing the torsion bars not just cranking them. I rencently purchased some #1 bars and was just looking for a little more information on how to go about replacing them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Search is your friend.
There are dozens of posts on this subject.

 

Thats why i spent the last hour searching only coming up with threads about cranking them nothing about how to take them out and put new ones in.

 

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...r-removal.html

Took me 15 mins.

 

thanks for looking i must have bad search words

 

Be prepared if they are rusted in. My old ones were, BEAT the HELL out of them with no luck...PB, soakded literally in a bucket overnight, no luck.

What worked GREAT, was an oxyacetylene torch....heated for a few minutes, popped right out. (Heat the control arm or key, NOT the spring itself!)

 

You can do it a safer route too without special tools or the sketchyness of using a c-clamp or 2jaw puller.

unbolt upper shock mount
unbolt upper balljoint
unbolt sway bar link
possibly unbolt caliper
possibly loosen up the CV shaft

this will allow full droop of the LCA and inturn allow you to remove that 'block' that the adjustment bolt threads into, then remove the key with bar attached. done.

 

a torch is a mechanics best friend.

 

If you use a bottle jack you don't have to unbolt anything except for the torsion bar adjuster bolt and cover. This is how I removed mine.

 

what do you mean if you use a bottle jack? to lift the truck up?

 

to first understand how to remove them, you must first understand how they function.

 

Yah think? so why dont you help me understand a little.

From what i have read and gathered over the past few years is that the t-bar is held in a constant turned state. the adjuster bolt moves the key and turns the bar. if you tighten the bolt the bar is put under more pressure and if you loosen it then the presure is released. the amount of presure or turn on the bar is what hold the a arm up and gives it its spring like qualities.

what im not sure about is if once the bolt is completly taken out does the bar still have pressure on it if the truck is jacked up and the tires are off the ground. if any thing is incorrect please correct me or guide me to the answer.

 

anybody?

 

Removal

Raise the vehicle.

Remove the torsion bar cover plate bolts.
Remove the torsion bar cover plate.

NOTE: Before relieving the torsion bar tension, measure and record the measurement of the torsion bar adjustment bolt. This measurement will be used as the preset depth for the new torsion bar adjustment bolt during installation.

Make preliminary adjustment references.
Measure and record the length where indicated.

Relieve the torsion bar tension.
Position the Torsion Bar Tool and adapters.
Tighten the Torsion Bar Tool until the torsion bar adjuster lifts off the adjustment bolt.

CAUTION: The torsion bar adjustment bolt is coated with dry adhesive and must be replaced if it is backed off or removed. Failure to do so can cause the adjustment bolt to loosen during operation and cause a loss of vehicle alignment.

Remove the torsion bar adjustment bolt.

Loosen the Torsion Bar Tool until the tension is removed from the torsion bar.

Remove the torsion bar.
Mark the torsion bar and the adjuster for proper installation.
Remove the torsion bar insulator.
Grasp the torsion bar and pull it free from the front suspension lower arm.

Installation

Position the torsion bar and the torsion bar adjuster.

Install the torsion bar adjuster.
Align the marks on the torsion bar and the torsion bar adjuster, then install the torsion bar adjuster.
Position the torsion bar insulator.

CAUTION: The torsion bar adjustment bolt is coated with dry adhesive and must be replaced if it is backed off or removed. Failure to do so can cause the adjustment bolt to loosen during operation and cause a loss of vehicle alignment.

Preload the torsion bar.
Install the Torsion Bar Tool and the adapters.
Tighten the Torsion Bar Tool until the new adjustment bolt can be installed.
Turn the adjustment bolt until the preliminary adjustment measurement (recorded length of the old adjustment bolt) is reached.

Remove the tool.
Install the torsion bar cover plate.
Position the torsion bar cover plate.
Install the torsion bar cover plate bolts.

Lower the vehicle.

 

Instead of using the torsion bar tool you can use a bottle jack. Just position the bottle jack at the same position as you would the torsion bar tool. Jack up the bottle jack to take the tension off and take out the adjustment bolt. The carefully lower the jack back down and remove the key, insulator, and torsion bar. Repeat for other side.

Just be sure to be very careful if you choose to use this method. Make sure that the tension is off of the key before you take out the adjustment bolt.

 

Hey check this link, its how i did it ( pre-key with #1 bars) it should be post #143

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...eed-get-8.html

good luck

 

Thanks for all the information this helps a lot!!!

 

Just puting this here so it easier to find.

 

I used the bottle jack method when I did mine too. Works great and you don't need anything special.