help with stuborn spring plates

[goldsc78258]

I can get the spring plates out of the car, the torssion bars will come loose of the tubes(car) before they come loose of the plates. I have tried differnt things but none of them has worked yet. Any ideas? Please I need help

Thanks

[Dixie]

I have an idea or two. But first, I must ask. How much of the existing hardware do you plan (or are hoping) on reusing?

[goldsc78258]

As much as I can I have an idea of drilling a hole in the center of the cap to tap the torssion bar loose. What do you think?

Thanks again

[Dixie]

I presume your car is a '78 and you have to get the t-bar through the hole in the quarter panel. (G-50 cars have a "notch" allowing you to get the spring plates and t-bars out even if they're stuck together.)

Drilling a hole and drifting the bar out is a good option. I've used it before myself. Be advised that the last time I checked you can’t purchase a new cap. Therefore, you might want to drill a small hole and use a slide hammer to pop the center cap off the spring arm. You'll have less to repair that way.

Another possibility is to clamp a channel-lock onto the t-bar and smack it with a hammer, or pry between it and the spring plate. (Alternatively smacking the spring arm while holding the channel-lock will help.) This will work if the t-bar is not stuck too tight. The trick here is getting someone to hold the spring arm somewhat still. And if you wrap a rag around the t-bar, you might get lucky and be able to separate things without tearing up the t-bar.

Remember that PB-blaster is your freind. Drown the parts in it. And if things still won’t budge, heat from an acetylene torch is a better freind.

[goldsc78258]

Thanks Rob, we'll do

[HarryD]

I used the Vise grip/BFH method to spearate my struck parts in my '73. A liberal application of PB blaster and letting it soak for a day or so helps.

[Dixie]

...and let us know how it turns out!

[safe]

I had the same problem. On the left side I drilled a hole and punched it out on the right I had to cut the torsionbar with an angle grinder.

[JP911]

Channel lock with duct tape (prevent gouging T-bar) + pry bar worked for me.

[scottbooth]

On my 78 I had to cut the T-bars on both sides. Then clamped the stub ends in a vise and used a hammer to tap the spring plate loose. I tried all of the other techniques listed here, but finally decided that I didn't care about the old bars since I was planning to put in new ones anyway.

Good luck
Scott