Rear torsion bar install- spring plate cap popped off...

[Neilk]

Hi,

I tried to put my rear suspension back together and encountered a little problem. One of the spring plate caps popped off.

It appears as if one of the torsion bars was not completely seated so when I started tightening down the torsion bar covers, the cap popped off to reveal a nice torsion bar. Does the collective wisdom of the board think I can gently hammer the torsion bar back into the car or should I take everything apart?
There is about a 1 inch gap between the spring plate cover and the end of the studs where the cover should rest.

I wanted to start hammering away, but I didn't think that my neighbors would appreciate it at 11PM.

[trak ratt]

As long as the torsion bar splines are engaged on the inside of the torsion tube no problem. I’d use a plastic hammer or at least a piece of wood so you don’t mash the end of the bar. If the cap doesn’t fit firmly get a plastic pipe end cap to keep the dirt out of the spring plate.

[Neilk]

David,

Thanks for the advice. I hope I don't have to take it apart. I have both torsion bars indexed at the same angle, plus I don't want to have to unbolt the cap.

Does anybody make an electric ratchet wrench?

[trak ratt]

Not that I know of but you can buy a “speed handle” for very little. Those 8 bolts can get tiring! Just wait & see how you feel about them if you didn’t index the torsion bars correctly the first time!

[makaio]

I haven't seen an electric ratchet wrench yet. But what I do when I have alot of fastners to remove is use my electric screw gun(drill), with a 3/8" adapter to put sockets on it. Works great after the fastners have been broken loose.

[Neilk]

Originally posted by david riley
Not that I know of but you can buy a “speed handle” for very little. Those 8 bolts can get tiring! Just wait & see how you feel about them if you didn’t index the torsion bars correctly the first time!

Tell me about it. I was tightening the cover for the first torsion bar that I set when I realised that I forgot to included the car's angle when on jackstands.

I have used my drill before, unfortunately there is not enough space to get between the fender and the body.

I can't wait to get everything back together and see how it looks. Having used Wil Ferch and Thom Fitzpatrick's spring plate calculator, I am hoping that everything will line up on the first shot.

[kstylianos]

Neilk,

Let us know how the calculator worked out for you. I'm going to be doing the same shortly.