Torsion bar won't come out.

mbaird said
It is so easy to just unbolt the lower control arm spindle and pry whole assembly back.

DARTLARRY said
push the bar through the rear mounting sleeve, and just get it to start on the LCA sleeve, place a C clamp across the LCA and the torsion bar adjuster, now when you tighten the clamp you rotate the bar. Now you can watch the rear bar sleeve, and tighten the clamp to line the bar up. They are usually off by a few degrees, using the clamp on the adjuster to pull it down, once they are lined up a few hits with with a mallet will set the bars into the sleeve.

Thanks again for these suggestions, guys.
I loosened up the LCA and when I move it with the pry bar, I can see that it slides in and out of the socket. Rather, the bar stays put while the control arm moves.

So it turns out that the bar is only stuck in the rear mounting sleeve. Assuming that Swayaway made the bar to spec, I just don't even know how I screwed that up.

Using the Mancini torsion bar tool, I've been able to give it some serious whacks in the rearward direction to get it out... and it ain't moving.

What gives?
I'm guessing that my hammering in attempts to get it in have distorted the hex making it fit tightly in place...but still.

What else should I try?
Would it be worth trying to heat the sleeve and cool the bar?

I'm about to throw in the towel and pull out the check book to have a professional (with a lift) bail my *** out. This really isn't in the budget and I loathe the feeling of defeat, especially when I'm so damn close to being ready to align and drive!! :(

Any thoughts are welcome.
Any pointing/laughing would be well deserved.