early a body torsion bar ?

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flathead31coupe

flathead31coupe

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can you put them in wrong? i rebuilt the front end all new bushings ect.. after words i went to adjust the bars and after turning the adjuster to where there is only about 1'' of bolt to adjust there is almost no tension the bars....car sits all the way down...
 
Yes, you can install them wrong. First, make sure they're on the correct side. After that, it's a matter of getting them clocked right so you can achieve the correct tension on them.
 
The even numbered bar (with the R after it) goes on the right side (passenger side in the U.S.) Rather than fight the lower control arm, I keep the nut on the lower control arm pin slightly loose where it goes into the K-member, leave the shock off, and keep the control arm unattached to the spindle. Lower the control arm as far as it will go, have the adjustment bolt backed off most of the way (but still in far enough for it to sit in it's cup) and install the torsion bar. Then tension it up and install the rest of the parts. Keep the nut on the lower control arm pin loose until you get the ride height set and front end aligned.
 
cudamark said:
The even numbered bar (with the R after it) goes on the right side (passenger side in the U.S.) Rather than fight the lower control arm, I keep the nut on the lower control arm pin slightly loose where it goes into the K-member, leave the shock off, and keep the control arm unattached to the spindle. Lower the control arm as far as it will go, have the adjustment bolt backed off most of the way (but still in far enough for it to sit in it's cup) and install the torsion bar. Then tension it up and install the rest of the parts. Keep the nut on the lower control arm pin loose until you get the ride height set and front end aligned.
Click to expand...
I never looked them out just slid them back out of the way....ill try what you said above...thanks
 
cudamark said:
The even numbered bar (with the R after it) goes on the right side (passenger side in the U.S.) Rather than fight the lower control arm, I keep the nut on the lower control arm pin slightly loose where it goes into the K-member, leave the shock off, and keep the control arm unattached to the spindle. Lower the control arm as far as it will go, have the adjustment bolt backed off most of the way (but still in far enough for it to sit in it's cup) and install the torsion bar. Then tension it up and install the rest of the parts. Keep the nut on the lower control arm pin loose until you get the ride height set and front end aligned.
Click to expand...
so I need to separate the lower ball joint an let the lca hang it won't go far because of the strut rod
 
Yes, and you may have to pull the control arm down a bit to get the torsion bar lined up with it's socket.
 
The weight can vary quite a bit depending on aluminum vs. cast iron components. The T-bars would be weak also from years of use and abuse.
 
If you take a pipe wrench and grab the round OD of the torsion bar socket, you can push down with all your might and line it up with the hex end of the bar. Then it will slide right in if the frame is not sagging. I found out the frame thing when I had it supported at a different location. I had the jack stands under the K-member and it didnt want to move at all. I put the jackstands behind the front wheel wells and it must have kept the bar alignment better as it was very easy.
 
pishta said:
If you take a pipe wrench and grab the round OD of the torsion bar socket, you can push down with all your might and line it up with the hex end of the bar. Then it will slide right in if the frame is not sagging. I found out the frame thing when I had it supported at a different location. I had the jack stands under the K-member and it didnt want to move at all. I put the jackstands behind the front wheel wells and it must have kept the bar alignment better as it was very easy.
Click to expand...
i just unscrewed the adjuster all the way out. the pivot is loose, no shock, let the lca hang down , bar slid right in, but still no tension when i tightened up the bolt
 
The bar should **** the LCA toward the ground so when the cars suspension is loaded it is putting tension on the bar. It will naturally want to install and hang in a very downward position and will take a bit of force to lift it and the spindle up to meet the hanging UCA, ie. with a floor jack. There are 6 hexes so you can get the bar in 60 degrees 'out' and have the LCA almost stick straight out, this position will not support the front end and it will lower all the way to the stops. You should not have to loosen the adjusters.
 
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