Torsion bar revisited (again)

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

ok just been trying at my bar again

as before, passenger side came out easy, using the bolt and socket method.

For the drivers side i have acquired a length of metal bar to bash the torsion bar out from the other side, thusly:

wouldnt budge. may as well be welded.

but in the process, i did manage to dislodge the centre yoke thing

and im having trouble belting that back into position now. Evil or Very Mad

any ideas?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

thats a new one

should be able to batter it back

The torsion bar is thinner so its just slid over the rubber on the arb

also if its moved then surely the torsion bars now loose

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

nope, not loose at all...solid as. locked at the outer end

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

so you were hitting the bracket and not the actual torsion bar? Thats not to clever is it.

also you have not removed the shocker bolts and theres a jack so its under plenty of pressure so its never go come out is it?

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

the top shocker nuts are off. jack is not under any load.

didnt mean to hit the bracket did i

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

to nuts are an arse to remove I find.

well you have now so you'd better bang it back along.

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

im thinking now... since i cant release the torsion bar... whats to stop me raising the trailing arms, and banging the bracket thing back along?

would have the same lowering effect, assuming i actually can get it to go back into place?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

that'll work but will need more messing around.

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

well i am messing around anyway Sad

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

leats its dry where you are, its pissing down up here and I can't do anything.

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

i just cant get the splines on the ARB to match up with the splines in the yoke. the yoke engages with the torsion bar first so that sets its position.

fuck.

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

i am considering spending tomorrow swapping the torsion bar off the other car... just those 4 nuts holding the thing to the car, the brake hoses and the handbrake cable to disconnect yes?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

aye.

18mm nuts.

the bolts themselves are held to the car by a black metal plate inside under the rear seat squab under the carpet. The black plates held on by 1 10mm bolt, I'd pull the bolts out and gie them a good wire brushing.

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

how heavy is the torsion bar itself? i mean ill have someone helping me but how is best to go about lifting it up onto the studs?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

well assuming your not quite the beast I am then you will struggle to do it yourself.

George/my mrs can't lift the things. If you look in the progress report forum and into the 1.4 energy prima report you will see me holding the thing to give you an idea of size.

As for weight, dunno 40 kgs or something, maybe more, maybe less.

If you have a spare axle stand of bricks or something lift one side up loosely bolt it in then lift the other side up.

Fit the brake pipes etc before fitting the bar properly as theres no room to get your hand in cos of the tank when its on properly.

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

no im not quite the beast you are Chris. Im not too small either...

once i undo the nuts holding the thing to the car, it is likely to be a bitch to release?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

undo the nuts and it may drop down a bit, but tbh its probably gonna stick so you'll need to lever it. Put something under it so it doesn't drop and damage you/itself.

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

once the nuts are off cant i just give the brackets a clout with a hammer to free them?

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

oh yeah...needed another set of axle stands to do the swap, round the corner there was a lad working on a 106 Ralleye, i asked him and he lent me his for tomorrow.

Restores your faith in humankind Smile

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

good stuff, get his name and direct him to here, we need members.

Like I said it will stick but it won't need effort, if you clout it with a hammer it will drop off quick and make the world explode.

When the axle is off look for rust on the floor pan, the axle bracket is directly onto the shell.

Site Subscriber Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 2317

I thought it was the bottom shocker nuts you took off, not the top ones...