Not long ago a friend and I dropped my truck and it sits pretty good right now but the front is just a tad higher then the rear so I wanna grind down the X-member some to get it even again. Ive tried sticking a jack under the key and lifting but all it does is lift the whole truck up not the key to where I could slide out the little block that holds the key in place. So any help on how I could raise the key up kist enough to where I could slide this block out would be appreciated.

 

Are you talking about the key for the torsion bar?

If so, you need a two jaw gear puller. Take the cover off, back the adjuster all the way out. Then put the puller around the mounting bracket for the bar, and put the tip of it on the key -- NOT through the hole in the block with the threaded hole in it you just removed the adjuster from.

Oh, make sure the front end is up in the air with the wheel off the ground and dangling -- that is, have a jackstand under the frame or crossmember, not the a-arm.

Now tighten the puller carefully, checking the seating of the jaws on the bracket. When you have the key lifted up enough, pull out the block, which Ford calls a nut.

Then slowly release the gear puller to take the tension off the bar. Once its fully down, you can remove the bar.

 

Ah u have given me an idea! Ok couldnt I use the jack that came with my truck and the gear puller to do this? 1st put the stock jack under the key and have it jacked up enough to hold the key up so it wont fall down when I take the "nut" out. 2nd use the gear puller to raise the key up enough to pull out the block aka "nut." 3rd grind down the X-member then put the "nut back in so the key sits lower?

 

If you don't raise the truck up and let the wheels extend, there is so much more force on that t-bar. Do something to get the truck in the air with the wheel dangling. I don't recommend trying to cheat here -- theres a lot of energy stored in that bar when it's fully loaded. You must be able to get a jackstand from somebody. Do it right -- there's no sense and no advantage to doing it half-assed.

 

Thanks n3elz ill prolly end up doing this at a buddy of mines house he has plenty of stands i can use to do this the right way. I just didnt wanna have to go through the pain of takin the key all the way down the having to push it back up into the correct position again.

 

Yeah, I cant offer to much advise as I use a lift every time I do it. But what John says is right (Like usual), get the tire in the air and the pressure off that bar! It will be much easier to raise the key when there is not the pressure of the vehicle pushing againts it.

 

Thanks Zero I wanted to get ur opinion on this idea cuz i knew u had messed with ur keys the most on this site and u could offer the most helpful info.

 

I tihnk Zero put his back to stock right? Cause I remember him telling me soemthing like that. I like the way his truck sits right now, a "little" high but good enough to fit some nice bullitts underneath.

 

Yeah mine has the blocks removes moved and the torsion bolts backed out some. I have the caster kit for the front just waiting to order some Belltech lowering leaf springs and shocks to get it dropped again. I didnt want to have bad camber with these new wheels and tires. I dont want to risk anything get damaged more than it should.

 

When we dropped my truck the wheels didnt flare out really any so I dont think my camber is really off that much at all unless its cuz im runnin the stockers right now. So when I get my smaller tires then it might flare out more then it is now but who knows ill wait and see.

 

Yeah, it wont be terrible (Like if you were bagged and fully laied out) but it will be bad enough to wear on tires pretty good. I wan a month and a half or so without seeing any real major wear on my tires from the camber but it will eventually show up to haunt you. Good luck with it all man.