Torsion bar installation

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synchro66

synchro66

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I'm just in the process of installing larger Torsion bars to my A body. Just wondering if anyone can tell me the correct way to install them as per the factory service manual. Do i install without spindles attached, if so should LCA be fully down and just raise up till bar pops in; Do i install with spindles attached and use a trolley jack ? looking for the correct way to do it.
Cheers
 
It does not matter if the spindles are on or not. They only thing to make sure of is that the adjuster is all the way loose. so it is not putting pressure on the LCR stop. The torsion bar should align up then, there is a left and right hand bar. Put in from the back, install the boot, a real pain. push the bar to the LCR, making sure that the hex lines up. Good luck
 
The upper and the lower control arms should be attached the spindle. Remove the upper control arm bump stop so the suspension is at full drop. Then install the torsion bars.

Did you replace any of the control arm bushings during this process? If so you will want to leave cam bolts and pivot shaft loose and tighten them once the torsion bars are installed and the full wait of the vehicle is on suspension with ride height adjusted.
 
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OK..two differing opinions here re the spindles needing to be on or not, so still a bit confused. Here is what I have tried so far: 1) L&R bars in correct L&R position /adjusters all the way out, upper control arm Bump Stop still in position, all new BJ's and bushings (rubber). If i leave the spindles OFF, with the LCA fully down and slide the bar up to the hex hole, all I need to do is lift the LCA about an inch and the bar slides in easily. I then have to use a trolley jack to lift the LCA to a point where i can install the spindle. at this point the bar seems to be partially loaded. 2) if I install with Spindle ON, I need to use the trolley jack and lift the LCA up a lot higher before the bar will align with hex hole. The bars then seem quite heavily loaded.......
 
synchro66 said:
OK..two differing opinions here re the spindles needing to be on or not, so still a bit confused. Here is what I have tried so far: 1) L&R bars in correct L&R position /adjusters all the way out, upper control arm Bump Stop still in position, all new BJ's and bushings (rubber). If i leave the spindles OFF, with the LCA fully down and slide the bar up to the hex hole, all I need to do is lift the LCA about an inch and the bar slides in easily. I then have to use a trolley jack to lift the LCA to a point where i can install the spindle. at this point the bar seems to be partially loaded. 2) if I install with Spindle ON, I need to use the trolley jack and lift the LCA up a lot higher before the bar will align with hex hole. The bars then seem quite heavily loaded.......
Click to expand...

With the adjusters out there shouldn’t be any load on the bars at any point. You should be able to cycle the lower control arm through its entire range of motion by hand without any load from the bars if the adjusters are out. Shouldn’t need a jack of any kind.

Did you torque the lower control arm spindle nut already? Because those need to be torqued with the LCA at ride height, not before.
 
synchro66 said:
Steven190 says : It does not matter if the spindles are on or not.
PST marketing manager says:The upper and the lower control arms should be attached the spindle.
Click to expand...

Half dozen of one, six of the other. It doesn’t really matter most of the time, but it can depend on what components you’re using.

The bars are easier to install with just the lower control arm. This is especially true if you’re installing aftermarket bars, sometimes powder coated components make the torsion bar install harder and it’s helpful not to have all the other stuff attached so you can be sure nothing is binding up. Sometimes removing the bump stops isn’t all that easy if you haven’t replaced them already, stuff likes to rust. And aftermarket torsion bars sometimes require different LCA positions that can be more challenging than with the stock torsion bars. So it can depend on the diameter of the bars as really large torsion bars use a non-stock offset.

On the flip side, the spindle is usually easier to install without the torsion bars installed. Stuff moves around easier. And depending on what strut rods you’re using, you may need to install those before the LCA’s are all the way forward with the torsion bars fully installed. Nothing worse than finishing your install only to realize the LCA won’t slide back far enough to install the strut rod.
 
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