How to remove torsion bars without the unloader.

**ippielb** · 08-29-2009, 02:41 PM

So, i'm doing my lift myself, and first thing to do in the front is to remove the torsion bars, i have the rear lift done, except for the add a leaf because all the spring stores are closed, and i want to get new leaf springs before i put it all back together. so i just put the blocks in, and put the u bolts on. and put it on railroad ties, and now i'm onto the front, i got my front tires off, jacked up on 20 tonne stands, and have blocks under everything to support it. And i swore i had a c clamp that would have worked, i checked it out when i tightened the torsion bars a couple turns, but now it's gone... So now i need to find a way to release the pressure without using the tools. Anyone got suggestions, other then go out and buy one?

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EprZDM24hyY&feature=fvw"]YouTube - Chevy Truck Lift Kit Installation : Chevy Truck: Removing Torsion Bars[/ame]

They did it without even using the unloader... How?

**2COR517** · 08-29-2009, 06:13 PM

That truck was a Colorado. They must have more travel in the adjusting screw.

I think you can pull your lower ball joint and you won't need the unloader

**5speedsilverado** · 08-29-2009, 07:21 PM

pop the pad off of a c-clamp, and use the ball, and put it up their and clamp it down, remove bolt, and then slowly un-clamp it

**2COR517** · 08-29-2009, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by 5speedsilverado

pop the pad off of a c-clamp, and use the ball, and put it up their and clamp it down, remove bolt, and then slowly un-clamp it

I know guys have done this, and gotten away with it, but it's dangerous. And most of the c-clamps you buy today are very cheap chinese cast metal.

This thread has a link to a slightly less dangerous way.

http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28024

**5speedsilverado** · 08-29-2009, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by 2COR517

I know guys have done this, and gotten away with it, but it's dangerous. And most of the c-clamps you buy today are very cheap chinese cast metal.

This thread has a link to a slightly less dangerous way.

http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28024

if you do have a good quality one, it will work just fine, this is what the tool looks like, just a c-clamp with the pad removed, and a nut so you can use a wrench

http://store.fatbobsgarage.com/share...rce=googlebase

**tattooed4life** · 08-29-2009, 10:29 PM

I think you can do the loan-a-tool deal at autozone and get the torsion tool.

**ippielb** · 08-29-2009, 10:46 PM

Well, hahaha, i'm such a redneck, me and a friend used a pipe wrench and a floor jack! It works too!

I'm now stuck on the lower ball joints on the lower A arm. Beat the crap out of my stock knuckles and its not budging....

**grimreapersshadow** · 08-29-2009, 11:55 PM

i would get a pickel fork after it so your not damaging the knuckle any more they make em in manual or ones that fit onto an air hammer so take your pick and have fun

**Jimmiee** · 08-30-2009, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by ippielb

Well, hahaha, i'm such a redneck, me and a friend used a pipe wrench and a floor jack! It works too!

I'm now stuck on the lower ball joints on the lower A arm. Beat the crap out of my stock knuckles and its not budging....

Man you sure are a glutton for punishment. You can unload the bars with a puller and an impact gun in 15 seconds. The way you are doing it will surely rip the grease boots on your ball joints.

**X-Hibition** · 08-30-2009, 12:27 PM

An impact gun on a puller would speed things up, and possibly cause a puller failure. I went slow and easy, the old fashioned way. With a 3/4 drive ratchet and the gear puller. Still alive, all fingers, all arms, all eyes. But that's how I did it.