rear torsion bar removal

[haybayhill0]

Trying to remove torsion bars in order to replace bushings. they came out of torsion tube, but refuse to be driven out of radius arms. have tried all the tricks in these archives. Cutting the bars looks like the next alternative. Can they be cut with acetylene? Thanks, Bob

[Shoepop]

Yes a blue wrench is fine, a cut off wheel works well too they are fairly soft.

[Chuck Moreland]

To free a stubborn torsion bar from the spring plate you can do several things:

Spray some penetrating oil into the spring plate such that it reaches the splines. Then hold the spring plate and torsion bar and wiggle them. Wiggle some more.

Didn't come out?

More penetrating oil, then apply some heat to the spring plate outside the splines. Not crazy hot, maybe 150 F.

Wiggle some more. Wiggle again.

Still won't come out?

Drill a hole in the cap at the end of the spring plate tube - at the end of the torsion bar. Then escalate through the following methods to pop the torsion bar free:

1) Put a drift into to the hole and wack it with a hammer.

2) Tap the hole and thread in a grease fitting. Pump full of grease to push the torsion bar out with hydrostatic pressure.

3) Remove the grease fitting, drill to about 1/4 inch. Fill the cavity full of grease. Get a drift that fits snuggly into the drilled hole, insert it. Wack the drift with a hammer. Done properly, this will produce even higher hydrostatic pressure.

4) Tap that larger hole, fill cavity with grease, thread bolt into hole. Torque in a bolt. This produces hydrostatic pressure plus the force of the bolt abuting the torsion bar.

Still doesn't work?

Start cutting.

[porschenut]

You could also try whacking it in the opposite direction (in) to try and break the splines loose. Then maybe you can wiggle it out.

[pete3799]

Steve,
Won't the end cap just get pushed off by the grease rather then pushing out the TB?
A three jaw puller and heat worked for me. I had to get mine red hot before they
broke loose.

[haybayhill0]

Thanks guys, I'll let you know. Bob P.

[haybayhill0]

I took the cowards' way out After 3 days of flailing heating pounding both torsion bars, I took my grinder, installed a thin cutting disc, and in 5 minutes had both bars cut in half. Now I just have to have the stubs pressed out (?$), and buy 2 new torsion bars- ~$300. But I feel good! Bob P.

[porschenut]

Well, it's not like you didn't try all the alternatives first. Sometimes you just have to punt.

[midnight911]

i know you want a new beefier bar...cut 'em loose... :-)