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I had to replace the mounts for the torsion bar bracket on my '91 S-15 Jimmy. I borrowed the tool to unload the bars from Autozoo but might not have had to. After unloading the torsion bars, I was able to replace the driver's side mount without any trouble and the old one on the passenger's side came out because it was in two pieces. I was able to finagle the new one into place after cutting about 1/4" off of the top bolt. While I have the torsion bars unloaded, should I try to knock them loose or should I just put it back together? What would be the best way to knock them loose? If it's not too difficult, I'd like to knock them loose and grease them for easier removal in the future, should the need arise.
I've been planning to replace my torsion bars and in preparation, I've scanned the pages from my 99 manual that I've attached below. They don't mention adding any grease, but I've wondered the same. Perhaps someone else can speak form experience.
As for removing them, the instructions didn't mention any special too. However, I have a vague recollection of a tool that I saw in an old Dodge service manual for removing torsion bars. I think it consisted of two plates of metal with long troughs with semi-circular cross-sections so that when mated and bolted together would sandwich the torsion bar around its almost full circumference for about 8" of length. Then there was a 1" or larger diameter rod that was used for a handle that was mounted at the center of one of these plates coming out perpendicular to the surface of the plate. A hammer could be tapped against the end of the plates or perhaps the base of the rod/handle to nudge the torsion bar forward.
I've been planning to replace my torsion bars and in preparation, I've scanned the pages from my 99 manual that I've attached below. They don't mention adding any grease, but I've wondered the same. Perhaps someone else can speak form experience.
As for removing them, the instructions didn't mention any special too. However, I have a vague recollection of a tool that I saw in an old Dodge service manual for removing torsion bars. I think it consisted of two plates of metal with long troughs with semi-circular cross-sections so that when mated and bolted together would sandwich the torsion bar around its almost full circumference for about 8" of length. Then there was a 1" or larger diameter rod that was used for a handle that was mounted at the center of one of these plates coming out perpendicular to the surface of the plate. A hammer could be tapped against the end of the plates or perhaps the base of the rod/handle to nudge the torsion bar forward.
I'll be interested to know what you learn when you do all this.
I beat on the end of the bars a little with a maul and a chisel and hit it with my air chisel for a while and it went nowhere. I was able to replace the mounts without removing the bars so I just put 'er all back together and called it another day in paradise. For reference on the mounts...the one on the left was easy to R&R but the one on the right needed to have the top stud cut down to get it in. It came out without any modification because it was in two pieces. I did have to pry up on the bracket with a crow bar to get it in there though.
'91 S-15 Jimmy Torsion Bars
