Rear torsion bars- how to keep them centered?

[78SCRSMAN]

I'm installing my rear T bars for the first time as I didn't take them apart. I noticed when I went to install the second bar, it had no splines to go into. In other words, the first one was in too far so I tapped the second one in to fit. So how do I make sure each bar has its share of splines?
Hope that all makes sense.
Thanks

[rattlsnak]

Just make sure the outside ends are both installed at the same depth.

[78SCRSMAN]

OK. Are you saying "that's how it's done" or am I missing some spacers?

[wildcat077]

They should be inboard approx 1/2 inch from the outer ends of the torsion tubes,like said above make sure both sides are even!

Cheers !
Phil

[will hung]

The torsion tube is hollow through the middle, so if there is no spring plate to stop the bars, you could theoretically push both straight through until the outside splines of the last bar catch the center splines of the torsion tube.

I think what rattlsnak is saying is that remove both spring plates, and check how far your torsion bars stick out of the body. When they are equal, install one of the spring plates. Then check the other side to make sure the torsion bar still sticks out the amount you measured.

If it slid a little out further, slide it back in, it should press against the opposite torsion bar and correct things.

[78SCRSMAN]

OK so no spacer, just center them manually? I'll do that! I figured that's the procedure but it seemed odd so I thought I should ask just in case. I didn't find any info via searching here or in my shop manual but sometimes things are left out.

If I remove the spring plate end cap, what can it be replaced with? I was thinking I might do it this way so I don't need to tear everything apart again. I spose the spring plated can be capped off with pretty much anything.

[will hung]

Definitely no spacer, when people break aftermarket torsion bars, they get them out of the torsion bar tube by forcing them out the other side with any long enough bar.

When you say the spring plate end cap, do you mean the thin piece of sheetmetal on the outside of the spring plate? If you do, it's literally a thin piece of sheetmetal.

[78SCRSMAN]

Yeah, it looks like a dust cover or something. I'm not at home now. Can it be removed and replaced or does it get destroyed upon removal?

[will hung]

Pretty much gets destroyed on removal. My spring plates were seized to the rear torsion bars, so I had to remove those covers to get a bearing puller in there to release the torsion bar. Others have said you can just make a new one out of any piece of sheet. I would pull them, it's probably less hassle.