I lifted the front of my 2000 Expy 4wd using the torsion bar cranking procedure. A buddy of mine was asking about this procedure so I was digging around looking for the link and I found a bunch of other stuff about overtensioning and CV joint longevity problems. I never did take a starting measurement and I used a rachet with a cheater bar to move the bolt so I don't know how many turns I cranked the bolts down. I just kept making small changes and remeasuring until I got level front to rear and left to right.

How do I know if I went too far. Am I causing premature wear on the CV joints and other componants?

 

It depends how much you adjusted them. The CVs operate in a certain degree range and if you go outside that range the joint gets over worked and it will wear out faster. If you didn't adjust it a whole lot then you're probably ok. The thing you don't wanna do is tighten them down all the way. You said you were using a cheater bar, did you have the front of the truck jacked up or was it sitting on the ground? You're ahead to put it on a jack when you do this as opposed to adjusting them on the ground.

 

Hey Powerstroke,

Thanks for the info !

I went back underneath the Expedition today and backed off the torsion bars a bit. I jacked up the front with my floor jack as you recommended and things went a whole lot smoother.

I am darn close to level still and the adjustment bolts on the torsion bars still have a good amount of upward adjustment left in them. The left side has about 5 threads showing on the bolt or appx 1/2 in and the right is showing a good solid 3/4 of an inch protruding downward.

My guess would be with that much adjustment remaining I should be ok.

Do you agree?

Thanks Again.....

 

make sure to take it to the shop and get an alignment. the tires will wear on the outside very quickly. tell them to adjust the toe...

 

You will be fine but yes get an alignment.

I leveled out my 99 F150 a month after I bought it by cranking the bars to get a 7/8" lift on the front so that the ride height was equal. I now have 70k miles on the truck and have had no problems to date, knock on wood.

Yes it is a good idea to raise the truck off the ground when you crank the bars.

And that is about the same remaining adjustment I have left on mine.

Good luck,
kev