b-body torsion bars
 

im dropping my 73 satellite k member and the torsion bars are in the way of me taking off the k memeber. i tried to loosen adjuster screws on one side all the way and tried to take it off but it would not move i noticed there was a retaining ring in the back i took it out and still the torsion bar on the driver side would not go out and the torsion bar on the passenger side its adjuster screw wont even budge anyone have any tips on how to take these off?

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I truly don't know how to help for I haven't got that far on my car. But I believe they make a special tool to help in the removal of the torsion bars. I'm sure someone with actual experience will chime in shortly.

make sure the adjusters are all the way adjusted loose. may have to heat the adjusters if they are rusted. if you are gonna drop the k-member anyway you can drive them forward and they will drop with the k-member. may have to use a larger punch on them from the rear, but they will come forward from the trans crossmember,but make sure all the tension is off both of the bars first.

Don't you guys ever read your factory shop manual?


Unload tension on the bars by backing off the tension bolts. Remove the snap ring in the rear, and use a tool as shown in the picture. I made mine, just used a short length of heavy angle iron, I'd guess about 3/8 x 2 x 4" long or so, and a piece of maybe 3/8 or 1/2 x 2 x 4" long strap iron, just drilled through both for some 1/2" bolts, clamp it on so the "angle" hangs down and you can beat on it, and drive them towards the REAR

You can also buy these "knock off" tools (no pun intended) off ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/mopar...Q5fAccessories

http://i54.tinypic.com/wkjx1z.jpg



DO NOT be tempted to use pipe wrenches, vice grips, or any other tool of hardware that scratches or gouges up the bars---this will create fracture prone areas

http://i56.tinypic.com/15oa4jt.jpg

Make your tool. You might spray it good with some PB Blaster before hand. Use a 3-5 lb sledge hammer, it will take some effort.

RTFM!

440roadrunner is absolutely correct. the service manual will show the proper way to do it. learn the proper way first, then after you know the correct way, see if you can figure out short cuts. if work in a shop and you were to go by the service manual every time without short cuts you would just keep taking home guarantee.

i had originally looked in the service manual just it wasn't working
me and a body of mine were able to take a couple of crow bars and pry the transmission mount backwards and then pry against the cross member, we were eventually able to get the torsion bars to come out of the trans support and get the k member to drop

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