Okidokee.... So I went out and bought 7700# torsion bars to replace the originals with. Planned the whole afternoon to take care of this relatively simple little project.....

Things went smoothly until it came time to actually remove the bars from the truck. Everything loose.... I can move the bars by hand..... thought I could "tap" them forward and out (just like it says in Haynes manual). Ended up beating and beating, and spraying Rust Bust.... and then beating some more. Spent a solid hour beating on one side alone..... didn't even budge!

My question: Is there some "trick" to this that I can't see from behind my angry eyes? I am hoping that a cooler head can give me some pointer to moving that bar forward.

Thank you for your help, and for past help, to all!

 

Do you have a torsion bar puller? You need to remove the tension of the bar...Make sure you mark the alignment as well.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I have a tension release tool. All tension has been released from bar. No bolts left to remove or anything like that. Just need to bang the bar forward through the lower A-arm so I can physically remove it from the truck.

Anyone?

Thanks.

 

BFH. You would be suprised what some weight could do.

 

I stopped and talked to my resident Ford Dealer mechanic... a great guy by the way.... he said the same thing. Said I have done everything right, just need to spray some anti rust all over the lower control arm area... let it set for a day and work its magic, then go to town with a BFH! Said there were no tricks (unfortunately).

Thanks to those who replied. Spray has been applied (liberally), and tomorrow I will have at.

Take care.

 

Yep, BFH is the next option

 

Ok,

I am at this same point right now. My question is, what are the chances of knocking my truck off the jack stands? Has anyone ever done this? I have the front end on stands and the parking brake on in the rear but I am still concerned. Any thoughts?

 

It'll be tough to knock your truck off the jack stands. Just to be safe, set the 2 front tires underneath the engine. If they jacks fail, the tires will be there.

 

I find it hard to believe that a 4 or 8-lb sledge hammer could move a 41700 lb truck by banging on it. Set the brakes, chocke the wheels, and it's not going anywhere.

As for the torsion bar being stuck in the LCA, soak it with penetrating oil, and use a heavy-duty strap wrench to put reverse tension on the torsion bar, and I mean a LOT of it! (The one time I was involved, we used a 2" wide strap wrench with a 3-ft piece of cheater-pipe). If the tension alone isn't enough, then with the tension applied, give the torsion bar one good whack with a 4-lb baby-sledge. It'll likely pop right out at that point.

-Joe