Torsion Bar Issue

[Matt Bachand]

Mods this is a duplicate post, but I'm unsure of the safety of my vehicle, so you can delete these threads all together when that is resolved. Thanks.

I was under there doing other things, and sprayed the t-bar bolts down with pbblaster they looked in good shape so I grabbed my 3/8ths ratchet and 18mm socket and figured I'd see if they'd break free, thinking I can't break anythingw tih 3/8th............................ They didn't move in the tighten direction, so I tried backwards to try to move the bolt free before I crank.

Well......................

I barely got any pressure on the thing and it poped a little bit. Upon looking at it the adjusting bolt is now angled instead of straight up and down.

I had it jacked up by the frame and front tires off while doing this as I was doing maintenance.

Said 'F ME' and finished up and took it for a ride. Around the block it didn't pop back in place and is still a little angle to the side on it. The adj bolt that is. Vehicle sits level.

There is a little peep view slot thing n the crossmemeber where the t-bars attach to, and I can see it angled there too. Was hoping with weight on it it will pop back where it should as I barely applied pressure to it (loosen direction).........

Once again had vehicle jacked up by frame and tires off so they were as unloaded as they get.... Probably why this happened???

Well, is it safe? How do I fix??

Thanks!

 

[DEERE3594]

safety wise Id say you are fine, both of my little bar things were broke for years and after i fixed it I cant tell any difference. I dont drive slow either

 

[Matt Bachand]

safety wise Id say you are fine, both of my little bar things were broke for years and after i fixed it I cant tell any difference. I dont drive slow either

Nothing looks broke, just crooked adjustment. Did something break? Like I said I barely applied pressure to it. I thought the socket slipped it was such a little feeling. .


This is exactly why I havn't touched them in the years I've owned this.... doh. Should have listened to myself.

How did you fix it>?

 

[DEERE3594]

Can you post pics? are you talking where in connects to the a arm?

 

[Matt Bachand]

Can you post pics? are you talking where in connects to the a arm?

No on the crossmember where the adjustment screw is. Should have taken pix earlier. I'll get some, will take 10-15minutes............

 

[DEERE3594]

oh I got what you mean, mine are and always have been angled Matt, Ill get some pics as well of mine to compare

 

[DEERE3594]

Well they look crocked in "real life" I suck at taking pictures

 

[Matt Bachand]

Tough thing to take a picture of if its not on a lift (which it isn't )



The last one is the the one I didn't touch. Notice how the T is verticle and horizontal. The other side is shifted off to the side.

Things look better now that PB blaster sat on it for hours

Can I just put a wrench on it and force it back verticle?

 

[Matt Bachand]

Justin, it makes me feel a whole lot better just by you saying yours are off to the side also. Did you ever crank yours at all?

 

[Matt Bachand]

PB Blaster is wonderful stuff. I couldn't really make out the different parts earlier.

Does this adjustment screw just 'float'???

 

[Matt Bachand]

What if I take a bottle jack and a rod and push up on the adjusting part where the screw goes into, can I straighten it back out then?

 

[DEERE3594]

Justin, it makes me feel a whole lot better just by you saying yours are off to the side also. Did you ever crank yours at all?

I cranked them, then got an alignment... One seems cranked more then the other after alignment

Some other guys/gals need to chim in here. Everyone knows much more then me I dont want to say your ok then have you wheels fall off

 

[Matt Bachand]

I cranked them, then got an alignment... One seems cranked more then the other after alignment

Some other guys/gals need to chim in here. Everyone knows much more then me I dont want to say your ok then have you wheels fall off

Crap, yours don't look as crooked as mine then???

 

[DEERE3594]

Crap, yours don't look as crooked as mine then???

stand by Matt

 

[DEERE3594]

No, mine are both flat. Id swear on my old trucks they where crooked...
damn Im no help

 

[Matt Bachand]

No, mine are both flat. Id swear on my old trucks they where crooked...
damn Im no help

No great help. Thank you for your time.

I'll have to examine things more tomorrow. I must have applied laterial pressure to it when I had the ratchet on it. I also had it jacked up by the frame, so they weren't 'loaded' Perhaps if I jack it up by the frame, and stick another bottle jack right under that screw, and stick a metal rod right nxt to the screw and jack up, I can straighten it back out????????????

Not sure, but at least there are pictures and comparison out there so peopel know what I'm talking about thanks to you !! I'll check this in the morning before I head out.

Thanks again bro.

 

[Matt Bachand]

One more question on this topic.

When adjust t-bars, are you supposed to jack truck up so the A-arms hang low? or leave it on the ground?

 

[DEERE3594]

If you want any more pics, let me know

 

[DEERE3594]

One more question on this topic.

When adjust t-bars, are you supposed to jack truck up so the A-arms hang low? or leave it on the ground?

Jack it up

 

[CtChevy427]

Matt, the adjuster will turn much easier if the a arms hang. You should be fine as long as the end of the adjusting bolt is in the key and the threaded piece between is captured between the frame piece.