1970 dodge charger torsion bar removal?

Question

ive got a 1970 charger and i have no idea how to remove the torsion bars. my 68 camaro friend and also my 57 bel air buddy have no idea how the torsion bars work. as well, i am new to them also. i am totally clueless as to how these come out. i am doing a whole rebuild and such, and i need them to come out.. but how?? i would GREATLY appreciate a step-by-step procedure on how they come out. i rip out my hair evertytime i get under the car and try to figure out how they freakin come out =/ i feel very stupid, becuase i have read somewhere that its an easy thing to do or something. but i'd really appreciate it. thanks alot everyone.

Answer 1

Simple. Look for a cotter pin at the very end of the torsion bar support. Remove the cotter pin. You may have to loosen the tension first. To do this, back off the tensioner at the rear of the bars. Once the tensioners are loosened off and the pins removed, the bars will come out. When installing them, install them with the grove in the end of the bars horizontal. NOTE;
After you install the bars and tighten the adjuster back to the right height with the lower control arms vertical, You may have to readjust them the next day. They have a tendency to raise overnight by them selves. Oh, and one other thing. Don't nick or scratch the bars with hammers or wrenches. They will start to crack at these places and break. But you can hammer them on the ends.

Answer 2

Mopar Torsion Bar Removal Tool

Answer 3

Where the torsion bar goes into the frame on the back side there is a clip its not a cotter pin remove that.In the middle of your lower control arm there is an adjuster you must back that off make sure your vehicle is properly supported before doing so.There is a tool for removing torsion bars JC Whitney may still sell it.I have never needed the tool but I have removed more than one set of torsion bars that were stubborn in coming loose.I would recomend getting a manuel before attempting it but if you don 't get one you should stil be able to remove them.

Answer 4

Quoted word for word from my 68 Plymouth Service Manual.

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Torsion Bar
The Torsion bars are not interchanble side for side. The bars ar marked either right or left by an "R" or an "L" stamped on one end of the bar.

Removal
1. Remove upper control arm rebound bumper.
2. If vehicle is to be raised on a hosit make sure it is lifted from teh body only so that the front suspension is in full rebound (under no load). If vehicle is to be raised on Jacks, placed under center of cross-member it will be necessary that, a support first be placed between the cross-member and the jack.
3. Release all load from the torsion by truning anchor adjusting bolt counterclockwise. (this is on lower control arm)
4. Remove lock ring from the torsion bar rear anchor.
5. Using tool C3758, remove torsion bar from its anchors. It is avisable to place the tool toward the rear of the torsion bar to allow sufficent room for stricking the striking pad par tof the tool. DO NOT APPLY HEAT TO THE TORSION BAR, FRONT ANCHOR OR REAR ANCHOR. (Personal note not in manual, This tool clamps down over the torsion bar with a few bolts and has a place on it to hit it with a 4lb sledge. Without it, this is a very difficult job.)
6. Remove tool and slide the rear anchor ballon seal from the achor to facilitae removal of the torsion bar.
7. Remove torsion bar by sliding bar out thru the rear anchor. Use care not to damage the balloon seal when it is removed from the torsion bar.

Inspection.
1. Inspect balloon seal for damage and replace it if necessary.
2. Inspect torsion bar for scores and nicks. Dress down all scratches and nicks to remove sharp edges then repaint area with goo rust preventative.
3. Remove all foreign material from the hex ends of the torsion bars.
4. Inspect adjusting bolt and swivel and replace if any corrosion or other damage is noted. Lubricate with anti-seize for easy operation.

Installation
1. Insert torsion bar through rear anchor.
2. Slide balloon seal over torsion bar (cupped End toward rear of bar)
3. Coat both hex ends of torsion bar with multi-mileage lubricant or equivalent.
4. slide torsion bar into hex opening of lower control arm.
5. install lock ring in rear anchor
6. pack annular opening in rear anchor completely full of multi-mileage lubricant or equivalent.
7. Position balloon seal on rear anchor lip so lip of seal engages with groove in anchor.
8. turn adjusting bolt clockwise to place a load on torsion bar.
9. Lower vehicla to floor and adust front suspension height.
10. install upper control arm rebound bumper and tighten nut to 200 inch-pounds.

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Answer 5

I have done this on a number of older Mopars
It is not hard
get yourself a service manual