Torsion Bar Install

[Desert 70 Cuda]

Hello Everyone,

I'm getting ready to install my torsion bars on my '70 'Cuda, but before I do I want to make sure I know the sequence. Do I torque the LCA mounting bolt first or do I install the torsion bar first? Also what position should the height adjuster blade sit at? Should it sit/point above the arm, or should it site somewhere in the middle? Or as low as possible? I don't have the engine or transmission in yet but I want to make sure I do it correctly while I have the room.

My thoughts are to install the torsion bar w/ adjuster blade as low as possible, then torque the mounting bolt.

Thank you in advance!

Borrowed pic from MoparCarGuy post:

 

[moparleo]

Here, download the factory service manual.
Service Manuals – MyMopar

 

[Xcudame]

Slide them in with the ride height adjuster screw back out. Make sure you put the correct bar in the correct location because unless they're ultra big in diameter, they are handed left and right. Even digits right (passenger side) and odd digits left (driver side). Once the bars are in, crank the adjusting screws all the way in so the car sits higher. Easier to work on that way. You can set ride height later.

Personally if it was me, I'd drop the K-Frame and wait to install the engine and transmission plus the K-Frame and torsion bars from underneath (i.e. drop the car over the drive train). Much easier. But you may need to move there car prior.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

Have the adjuster arm as low as possible

 

[Desert 70 Cuda]

Here, download the factory service manual.
Service Manuals – MyMopar

Thanks Moparleo! i had read through as best i could but it wasnt very clear. Much appreciated.

 

[Xcudame]

You will want the lower control loose because you'll need to raise it up and down to get the hex on the bars to align up. Pretty easy, once you start, it will make sense.

 

[Desert 70 Cuda]

Slide them in with the ride height adjuster screw back out. Make sure you put the correct bar in the correct location because unless they're ultra big in diameter, they are handed left and right. Even digits right (passenger side) and odd digits left (driver side). Once the bars are in, crank the adjusting screws all the way in so the car sits higher. Easier to work on that way. You can set ride height later.

Personally if it was me, I'd drop the K-Frame and wait to install the engine and transmission plus the K-Frame and torsion bars from underneath (i.e. drop the car over the drive train). Much easier. But you may need to move there car prior.

Thanks Xcudame! I was thinking along those same lines, and you're right i do need to move it around. My goal is to get it to "roller" status. Thanks again

 

[Desert 70 Cuda]

Have the adjuster arm as low as possible

Got it! I'll do that. Have the adjuster arm low. Thanks Chryco Psycho

 

[jsand]

This is an old post, but i am following some of the posts for the Torsion bar install. Have a question. I followed the procedure, but i find that i have the driver side turned in almost 1.75 inches more than the passenger side, to get the same ride height. Would the torsion bar need to be pulled out on the passenger side that the bolt is hanging out more and turn the bar one notch?

 

[Desert 70 Cuda]

This is an old post, but i am following some of the posts for the Torsion bar install. Have a question. I followed the procedure, but i find that i have the driver side turned in almost 1.75 inches more than the passenger side, to get the same ride height. Would the torsion bar need to be pulled out on the passenger side that the bolt is hanging out more and turn the bar one notch?

Hi jsand, I agree. I would pull the bar out, adjust it and reinstall. Maybe someone else here may have a different approach.

 

[dennispsalm91]

I just did this last week, the front end was completely torqued down, because it was all new. So what i did was back ride height adjusting screw all the way out. I then used a big C clamp to collapse the ride height adjuster blade down as far as i could get it. You may have to tweek how far to clock it so the torsion bar fits in LCR. The second one slid right in with zero tweeking

 

[jsand]

Thanks, I suspected that i probably wasn’t paying attention to where the blade position was when i installed the bar.

 

[dennispsalm91]

Thanks, I suspected that i probably wasn’t paying attention to where the blade position was when i installed the bar.

That blade needs to be as far down as possible, itll make adjusting both sides easier

 

[jsand]

Thank you for the help

 

[Torqueflite]

This thread may be old but I just installed the torsion bars in the AAR I'm working on. I assembled the front suspension with the shocks without the upper a frame bumpers. Left the control arm pivots loose. Greased the torsion bar end a bit and put a little grease in the torsion bar receptacles on the lower a frame and the crossmember receptacles, Put the lower control arm torsion bar adjusters in the lower control arms without the adjuster bolts. I made sure the lower adjuster pieces the adjuster bolts contact were against the adjuster pieces. The bars slid in like butter I tapped them against the lower control arm receptacles and the were clocked perfect and slid right in with a light tap. I used a socket and extension on the rear of the bar and lightly tapped them in. Put the retainer clips in and tightened the lower control pivot nuts a bit and,,,,,done. Thought this may help someone. Just make sure the suspension is hanging all the way down and the adjuster arms are up against the bolt adjuster piece.Oh and I didn't have to fight the rubber boots on. Just pit a tad of grease in the boot and it stretched right over the end of the torsion bar. Just the way I did it. Thanks. Hope it works good for you.

 

[jsand]

This thread may be old but I just installed the torsion bars in the AAR I'm working on. I assembled the front suspension with the shocks without the upper a frame bumpers. Left the control arm pivots loose. Greased the torsion bar end a bit and put a little grease in the torsion bar receptacles on the lower a frame and the crossmember receptacles, Put the lower control arm torsion bar adjusters in the lower control arms without the adjuster bolts. I made sure the lower adjuster pieces the adjuster bolts contact were against the adjuster pieces. The bars slid in like butter I tapped them against the lower control arm receptacles and the were clocked perfect and slid right in with a light tap. I used a socket and extension on the rear of the bar and lightly tapped them in. Put the retainer clips in and tightened the lower control pivot nuts a bit and,,,,,done. Thought this may help someone. Just make sure the suspension is hanging all the way down and the adjuster arms are up against the bolt adjuster piece.Oh and I didn't have to fight the rubber boots on. Just pit a tad of grease in the boot and it stretched right over the end of the torsion bar. Just the way I did it. Thanks. Hope it works good for you.

Great advice. I am tackling it tomorrow.