Improper Rear Torsion Bar Install Assistance

[Ryan_Cunningham]

A few weeks ago I was replacing the rear suspension components on my 1981 SC, upgraded TBs, Spring Plates, bushings, and shocks. I had thought I completed the job until lowering the car and noticed that the passenger side was “significantly” lower than the right. Upon inspection I saw that when installing the passenger TB it must not have fully seated and when bolting everything back up, it protruded through the bracket.

Driver side which was installed correctly.



Passenger side - Incorrect as you can see the TB actually protruding.



I’ve tried a piece of hardwood on the TB and using a BFH to try and force it back in, but it won’t budge.

Does anyone have any advice? Any tool that someone might be aware of that get get in there and apply mechanical force to push the TB back? The space is obviously limited.

[Dan J]

Take it apart, carefully remove and reinstall. Save the hammer for another project

[nospiners]

Also the proper side of the TB goes inside , not both sides are the same

[Alan L]

It doesn't take much for them to bind. A bit of crud on the inner spline would do it. Clean everything as much as possible. I think I once lightly had to file the teeth/grooves - just enough to smooth over any burrs. As above, a bigger hammer type of approach is the wrong approach. A light tap would be OK.
Alan

[Ryan_Cunningham]

Originally Posted by Dan J

Take it apart, carefully remove and reinstall. Save the hammer for another project

I agree, I don’t use a hammer unless necessary. But I can’t disassemble it.

[HarryD]

How about a 2 or 3 jaw puller? And maybe an application of heat.

[Ryan_Cunningham]

Originally Posted by HarryD

How about a 2 or 3 jaw puller? And maybe an application of heat.

Thank you, let me look into this.

[Alan L]

The puller will want to go down the hollow section. You could fix that by placing a bolt in there - with a head big enough for the puller to center on.
But that would be a good approach and it should pull off fairly easy.
Alan

[David Inc.]

What a weird way for that to be stuck. So you can pull the TB out but the bracket is stuck on it? I'd almost think a few pings on the side of the spring plate with a hammer would loosen up the splines enough to slip the TB back in towards the car without the bracket.

Did you grease it all up before assembly?

Edit: Also, in the SC the inner splines are shared side to side. If you install the passenger TB and then the driver TB it's possible to push it too far in and force the passenger TB back out. Something to watch for.

[Mark Salvetti]

Maybe use a block of wood between the bracket and the swing arm (so the torsion bar can slide into the torque tube once it is free), then hit the end of the torsion bar with an air hammer.

That will knock out a wheel stud like it is made of butter, should work here as well. I would place a metal disk (washer?) to protect the end of the torsion bar from the air hammer bit. Wear safety glasses!

Mark

[Ozark]

I recently had a similar problem when replacing my TBs. The splines inside the TB tube go all the way through - there is no "stop" which means, after inserting both TBs, you need to measure each side to make sure each TB is centered. I was able to correct it without removing the spring plates. I jacked each spring plate up just enough to relieve the tension and then used a hammer and drift to drive the long end in just enough to reinstall the round cover plate.

Gordon

[Ryan_Cunningham]

Harry and Allen, the three jaw puller with a bolt inside did the trick! Thank you so much.

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by Ryan_Cunningham

Harry and Allen, the three jaw puller with a bolt inside did the trick! Thank you so much.

Glad it worked out. Be sure to clean up the splines and grease the bar before you put it back in. Be sure you have the left and right on the right sides.

[Ryan_Cunningham]

Originally Posted by Ozark

I recently had a similar problem when replacing my TBs. The splines inside the TB tube go all the way through - there is no "stop" which means, after inserting both TBs, you need to measure each side to make sure each TB is centered. I was able to correct it without removing the spring plates. I jacked each spring plate up just enough to relieve the tension and then used a hammer and drift to drive the long end in just enough to reinstall the round cover plate.

Gordon

Thanks for this, sounds like I have the driver side TB too far in so I’ll have to pull it out some. Will attempt your method first.

[Gonbad]

Absolutely make sure you have not scratched the coating on the bar(s).

Don’t ask how I know that just know that I am not kidding and my dad and I almost died because of it many many moons ago.

Think of explosive torsional release!

[Ryan_Cunningham]

Originally Posted by Gonbad

Absolutely make sure you have not scratched the coating on the bar(s).

Don’t ask how I know that just know that I am not kidding and my dad and I almost died because of it many many moons ago.

Think of explosive torsional release!

I will, but “explosive torsional release” is absolutely something I will not look up. 😂