GM Drivetrain & Suspension Chassis | Transmission| Driveshaft | Gears/Rear End/Differential | Traction Aids

need help turning down torsion bars

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 1, 2006 | 11:03 PM
  #1  
slowvan79's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: virginia beach
Default need help turning down torsion bars

just wondering how to turn down front torsion bars.is there any special tools i need.
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2006 | 11:14 PM
  #2  
Bowtie70SS's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Default

No...should be around a 18mm socket or wrench. You will have to get an alignment after you do it...it changes your camber a little. Jack the front wheels off of the ground and tighten the bolts to lift her up or loosen to lower, make sure and do an equal number of turns. Also you'll want to measure the height on each side after you set it back on the ground, because it may not take an exact number of turns. Later

Dave
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2006 | 11:44 PM
  #3  
spitfire2332's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
From: Flint, MI
Default

Originally Posted by Bowtie70SS
No...should be around a 18mm socket or wrench. You will have to get an alignment after you do it...it changes your camber a little. Jack the front wheels off of the ground and tighten the bolts to lift her up or loosen to lower, make sure and do an equal number of turns. Also you'll want to measure the height on each side after you set it back on the ground, because it may not take an exact number of turns. Later

Dave
I'm not familiar with the underside of my truck or torsion bars at all... but can you loosen them TOO much?
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2006 | 12:08 AM
  #4  
thunder550's Avatar
High on diesel fumes
iTrader: (70)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,658
Likes: 3
From: Phoenix, AZ
Default

yes if you loosen them too much the bolt will come out
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2006 | 12:11 AM
  #5  
spitfire2332's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
From: Flint, MI
Default

Originally Posted by thunder550
yes if you loosen them too much the bolt will come out
yeah I was thinking that. But is there a point before that, that would be too loose to safely drive on?
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2006 | 12:18 AM
  #6  
thunder550's Avatar
High on diesel fumes
iTrader: (70)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,658
Likes: 3
From: Phoenix, AZ
Default

I'm sure there is, although I don't know that loosening them more than stock would do a lot with the bump stops in there, as they come resting on the bump stops from the factory (at least mine did). I think John Ulaszek trimmed his bump stops and dropped the torsions down a little when he turned his 4x4 into an autocrosser...I'll try to find the article.

Last edited by thunder550; Jan 2, 2006 at 12:24 AM.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2006 | 12:22 AM
  #7  
thunder550's Avatar
High on diesel fumes
iTrader: (70)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,658
Likes: 3
From: Phoenix, AZ
Default

Here ya go, he talkes about the torsion bar adjustment about halfway down

http://gmhightechperformance.com/tech/0504htp_truck/

"To lower the front of the truck I turned the bolts counter-clockwise seven complete turns, resulting in about a 1.25-inch drop which is just about the limit for the stock keys. Offset keys are available which will drop the front 1 to 3 inches, but keep in mind ride quality decreases as you reduce bump travel.

...

Unloading the torsion rod as stated above will require trimming the bump stop."
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2006 | 12:23 AM
  #8  
thunder550's Avatar
High on diesel fumes
iTrader: (70)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,658
Likes: 3
From: Phoenix, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by spitfire2332
I'm not familiar with the underside of my truck or torsion bars at all... but can you loosen them TOO much?
...and here is the bolt you are looking for

Reply
Old Jan 2, 2006 | 08:26 AM
  #9  
slowvan79's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: virginia beach
Default

Thanx fellas.Thats what I was wondering.I had heard some guys talkin about ford keys and wasn't sure if I was going to need them.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2006 | 09:27 AM
  #10  
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
Default

the only time you will want ford keys is if you wanna go higher.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:19 PM.