Torsion bar

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

im pretty fed up with this now. passenger side one was clean under the cap and popped quite easily using the socket and nut & bolt trick, but the drivers side one was a bit corroded. I doused it with WD40 every lunchtime for a couple of weeks and the yoke in the middle too but it just wont budge, nut after nut and bolt after bolt get chewed up on it.

So i made a rudimentary slide hammer from a 3 foot long bit of M10 stud and a big lump of steel with a hole in it. Not even this beast could get the thing to budge.

Anything else i can try?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

take the other bar out then bash it out from the centre.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

AND dissconnect the lower damper bolt as this takes the tension off the bar.

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

oh right.

i was thinking i might try a blowtorch and heat the thing up.

If it still doesnt come out, toss the blowtorch in through the sunroof.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

with the tension off the bar they usually slide out easily.

Thats how I normally do them, undo the bolts, let the beam drop, pull the bar out with my fingers, sometimes need the tool 1st time but after it comes out and is greased its easy to pull in and out.

Then with the bars out connect the dampers again then push the torsion bars back in, the drops normally about 40mm then.

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

had another bash today. I think this will be my last go. Fucking thing.

after shearing 2 coach bolts i resigned myself to the idea that the driver side bar is just not going to come out.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

did you try knocking it out from the middle?

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

no, i dont have a suitable bar

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

blah blah, really your a big girl, improvise. Use a socket extension or something

If you have the arse end up on axle stands and have taken out the lower damper bolts then theres no ttension on the bar so once it starts shifting it'll just slide out.

I also usuall stick the wire brush in the drill and clean it up.

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

no wire brush... no drill Smile

guess ill rob a length or ally bar from somewhere

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

ally bar, chop a broom pole up, socket extension etc etc.

Has it actually shafted at all?

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

it hasnt budged whatsoever

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

i think the ally bar is going to be the best bet, make it long enough that it sticks out the passenger side by about a foot or so, then i can get a nice swing at it with the hammer

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

yeah good idea.

You got coke? if so try and fill the end of the bar with coke, use a paper towel soaked in it then puch the cap back on. Does the job.

You have to use full fat real coke though, I have some diet stuff cleanign some bolts, it works but takes longer and its not as potent.

Also try thumping it in a bit to shock it free.

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

yeah i tried bashing it in to free it up, obviously didnt work Smile

coke idea is a good un though, ill try that!

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

do that then clean the crud out then have a go. no shift try the blow torch.

I love my blow torch, 2nd to only the grinder.