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Removing Torsion Bars #927949
02/13/11 04:21 PM
02/13/11 04:21 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 833
Marietta, GA
Joatha Offline OP
super stock
Joatha  Offline OP
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Posts: 833
Marietta, GA
I'm struggling horribly to get one of my torsion bars out of my 68 Barracuda so I can finish the front suspension. The torsion bar is stuck in the housing under the floor (on the subframe). I've heated the housing with a torch, soaked it as much as I can in PB blaster, hit it with a sledgehammer, hit it with a punch and hammer, and nothing seems to get it out. I've been working at this one piece for I don't even know how long.

I ended up cutting it in half (since I was replacing it anyhow) and tried driving it out from the end with the sledgehammer. I've even been hitting it left and right (and up and down) to see if I can dislodge it. But, its not coming out.

Any more ideas on how to bust this thing loose? I'm really at my wit's end with this one torsion bar - its got me frustrated and its holding everything up for me.


1966 Barracuda 1968 Barracuda convertible 1930 Ford Model A (soon to be hemi equipped) 2006 Dodge 3500 4X4 CTD Quad Cab
Re: Removing Torsion Bars [Re: Joatha] #927950
02/13/11 04:39 PM
02/13/11 04:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,074
Niles , Ohio
T
therocks Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
therocks  Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
T

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,074
Niles , Ohio
Since it sounds like the other is out I assume the clip is removed from the rear.Try heating it again and melting some bees wax in the end of the hex bar.My 65 had one that wouldnt move but came out fairly easy after I used the wax.Rocky


Chrysler Firepower
Re: Removing Torsion Bars [Re: Joatha] #927951
02/13/11 04:59 PM
02/13/11 04:59 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,315
MOPAR HEADQUARTERS IN ALDEN NY
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hemigod426 Offline
top fuel
hemigod426  Offline
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MOPAR HEADQUARTERS IN ALDEN NY
ive had a few that bad, were i cut them in half cleaned hex pockets with pick and drive,soaked in trans fluid, put jack under bar 1/2 jacked on it till busted free ot cut bar again close to box and sledge hammered out front to back, with bar cut again close to box it wont absorb hits and easy to hit sqaure to drive out. heat never works to much metal there in hex pocket and dont wanna put that much heat there.


MOPAR OR NO CAR
Re: Removing Torsion Bars [Re: Joatha] #927952
02/13/11 05:53 PM
02/13/11 05:53 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,436
Blair County,PA
62maxwgn Offline
master
62maxwgn  Offline
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Posts: 9,436
Blair County,PA
You need one of these.

6473801-P1060303.JPG (213 downloads)
Re: Removing Torsion Bars [Re: 62maxwgn] #927953
02/13/11 06:01 PM
02/13/11 06:01 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,431
Florida STAYcation
BeEtLeJuIcE ! Offline
The village idiot's idiot
BeEtLeJuIcE !  Offline
The village idiot's idiot

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Posts: 30,431
Florida STAYcation
Quote:

You need one of these.




x2

Re: Removing Torsion Bars [Re: BeEtLeJuIcE !] #927954
02/13/11 07:32 PM
02/13/11 07:32 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 329
tx
C
craigsmytcudas Offline
enthusiast
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 329
tx
Since the bars are cut ,i would use a porta power with three foot extensions placed against the lower control arm mounting hole on k member were the pin gos in and against the remaining part of the bar, I think slow applyed pressure will do the trick .cheers

Re: Removing Torsion Bars [Re: 62maxwgn] #927955
02/13/11 07:42 PM
02/13/11 07:42 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,315
MOPAR HEADQUARTERS IN ALDEN NY
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hemigod426 Offline
top fuel
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top fuel
H

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,315
MOPAR HEADQUARTERS IN ALDEN NY
Quote:

You need one of these.


when there rust welded in ive sheard the bolts on that tool and really messed it up


MOPAR OR NO CAR
Re: Removing Torsion Bars [Re: hemigod426] #927956
02/13/11 08:57 PM
02/13/11 08:57 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 833
Marietta, GA
Joatha Offline OP
super stock
Joatha  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 833
Marietta, GA
Quote:

Quote:

You need one of these.


when there rust welded in ive sheard the bolts on that tool and really messed it up




I had borrowed one previously. All that tool did was slide up the bar. This thing is too tight for the standard tool.


1966 Barracuda 1968 Barracuda convertible 1930 Ford Model A (soon to be hemi equipped) 2006 Dodge 3500 4X4 CTD Quad Cab
Re: Removing Torsion Bars [Re: craigsmytcudas] #927957
02/13/11 08:59 PM
02/13/11 08:59 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 833
Marietta, GA
Joatha Offline OP
super stock
Joatha  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 833
Marietta, GA
Quote:

Since the bars are cut ,i would use a porta power with three foot extensions placed against the lower control arm mounting hole on k member were the pin gos in and against the remaining part of the bar, I think slow applyed pressure will do the trick .cheers




Aha....that gives me an idea that I am going to try later tonight. I have a bottle jack. The bars aren't cut all the way back to the sub-frame. So, I will be able to put a sleeve (maybe a impact socket) on the end of the torsion bar (its cut fairly square but the sleeve will give more surface area) and then jack against the frame.

I'll see if that works. If not, I'll get some wax and borrow my buddy's acetelyne torch and try to use the torch/wax combo.


1966 Barracuda 1968 Barracuda convertible 1930 Ford Model A (soon to be hemi equipped) 2006 Dodge 3500 4X4 CTD Quad Cab
Re: Removing Torsion Bars [Re: Joatha] #927958
02/13/11 09:04 PM
02/13/11 09:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,840
The Swamp
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Sixpak Offline
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Posts: 6,840
The Swamp
The easiest and best way I've found to remove a torsion bar is to remove the lower control arm pivot pin nut and the strut rod bushing and nut. Do this WITH tension on the torsion bar, otherwise if the LCA bushing is shot the pivot pin might just spin. Disconnect the LCA from the lower BJ or spindle so it is free to move backwards. Next loosen the T-bar adjuster. Make sure the retaining clip is out of the T bar socket. Then with the LCA free use a ball joint/pickle fork between the LCA and the K frame to pry the LCA towards the back of the car. It should also push the T bar out of the socket. No need to cut or heat anything. The factory usually greased the T bar mount pretty well. I have never found one so stuck that the above method did not work, and that includes Northeast cars that saw salt and winters.

Re: Removing Torsion Bars [Re: Joatha] #927959
02/13/11 10:07 PM
02/13/11 10:07 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 833
Marietta, GA
Joatha Offline OP
super stock
Joatha  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 833
Marietta, GA
Quote:



Aha....that gives me an idea that I am going to try later tonight. I have a bottle jack. The bars aren't cut all the way back to the sub-frame. So, I will be able to put a sleeve (maybe a impact socket) on the end of the torsion bar (its cut fairly square but the sleeve will give more surface area) and then jack against the frame.

I'll see if that works. If not, I'll get some wax and borrow my buddy's acetelyne torch and try to use the torch/wax combo.




Well...when it rains it pours.

I jacked the torsion bar against the K-member and sure enough it start moving. By "it" I don't mean the torsion bar - except in the context that the hex hole started moving out the back of the subframe and I got a little bubble in the subframe in the area around the hex hole. Basically, the torsion bar stayed firmly ensconsed in its hole and now I have some reinforcing to do.

So, I knew that this area had some rust. I didn't realize it was this bad (although I probably should've given that I replaced the other side already). So, looks like I am going to have to cut that section of the subframe and weld a new one in. Just wonderful given that I have no wheels on the car, no welder, and no means to get it fixed.

Why can't I catch a break?


1966 Barracuda 1968 Barracuda convertible 1930 Ford Model A (soon to be hemi equipped) 2006 Dodge 3500 4X4 CTD Quad Cab






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