front torsion bar retaining cap issue

[jasonlee]

I have a question about the front torsion bar adjustment, more specifically the retaining cap and adjustment. I was driving this morning, hit a bump, heard a bang and immediately stopped.

Check underneath, and seems the retaining cap with adjustment popped out. Drove the couple of minutes back tot he house, and inspected. nothing broken, that I can see.
Question is, has this happened to anyone else, is it common, and is it as simple as just taking the weight off the front, popping the retaining cap back in and adjusting.

Please let me know, is this a perfect time to upgrade...

thanks in advance

J

[red77911s]

I've heard of a rear TB working it's way out and popping out of the splines, I suppose a front could do something similar, Did you check that the TB hasn't broken to cause this?

[75 911s]

A threaded hex headed adjustment bolt threads through that end cap (known as a "reverse lever" in the PET.)

If the suspension was lowered or that bolt greased, it could have dropped out the bottom of the crossmember and with normal suspension movement the cap could have fallen off. The bang is the torsion bar unwinding or breaking. I might disassemble that side, drop the control arm out and inspect the torsion bar. I've seen some people apply blue loctite to the adjustment bolt, though I think it's unnecessary because there is usually significant force on it so it can't unscrew.

Either way a loud bang is a red flag and I wouldn't go any further until you find out what happened via a solid inspection. You mentioned upgrade. Yes, new front bushings and or upgraded TB / sway bar / strut inserts / pack front wheel bearings / etc.

[jasonlee]

if the bar can be removed, can I just reinstall it, or the fact that you said it unwound, means its done?

[fanaudical]

I would check that bar carefully for any signs of cracking before driving. Maybe have it magnifluxed. Loosing one of those would not be good. Maybe go for pre-emptive replacement if concerned.

Not sure how that cap could have popped out. Those are in there quite securely when loaded. You want the lever portion toward the bottom half of the retainer cage if I remember correctly. You may need to re-index the position of the cap on the bars.

[E Sully]

Might be time to pull the a arms and install new rubber bushings while checking the front torsion bars.

[jasonlee]

As I can't seem to remove the torsion bar, it looks like I will have to drop the A arm.

Any recommendations for alternative jack stand points on the front, and I know they say leave the wheels on, but I am sure in. this case pulling wheels is ok? Will replace bushing while I am in there,.

thanks,

[Tyson Schmidt]

If the adjuster bolt is still in the adjuster cap, it’s impossible for it to move back far enough to come off the end of the torsion bat splines.

Unless the aluminum crossmember is broken in the area behind the slot the adjuster bolt rides.

Is the adjuster bolt still in the cap?

[jasonlee]

After the loud bang, I stopped and looked underneath the car. Adjuster bolt still in the cap. Cap its self was int he correct area, but had come off the back of the torsion bar. Brought the car home, jacked ups and inspected further. sure enough cap in the right area, but off the torsion bar. I tried removing the torsion bar to no avail. So I am making the assumption its broken so I am planning on replacing.