Removing Torsion Keys

[BlizzardX23]

Im looking through the threads and searching for anything with torsion keys...

where is a thread dealing with the removal of the keys?

Im wanting to know

A) How do you remove them with C-Clamps?
B) Whats dangerous about using the clamps?
C) How do you use the gear puller?
D) What makes the keys dangerous to change in any situation?

 

[Grocery Getter]

a) you don't you drop $40 at sears for a 7 ton puller or rent a t-bar unloader from
the auto parts store
b)C-clamps can fail or even snap under the load of unloading the keys and then the key will
whip your ass in the hand and shatter it or worse if you got your nugget all up
in there. The only real difference is how much load the tool can handle
c)The same way you would use a c-clamp or an unloader.... you put it together with
only two jaws if it is a three jaw type and hook the little feet around the
cross member and tighten it until the load is on it and not the bolt. Then you
back out the retaining bolt and then back out the puller/unloader until the
torsion has been released from the bars and the key is loose
D) there is a tremendous amount of force from the torsion in the bars and if the
you remove the bolt that retains the keys in place and the device you are using
fails the keys will unload that force on whatever is in their way and generally
that is your hand.

It's really not that sketchy with the right tools. I only did it once and was all nervous and it took us like 20-30 min for both sides.......

 

[Max]

3 minutes with an impact and the proper tools, don't kill yourself go to a shop or a friend with some air tools at least.

 

[ItsAdam1]

i have always used the gear puller.. But i am looking for a cheap torsion bar removal tool. I borrowed one this last time when I did the bags its worth the money for the tool. It took me 5 mins to remove both sides with an impact wrench and TB tool..

 

[BlueTahoe2001]

i have always used the gear puller.. But i am looking for a cheap torsion bar removal tool. I borrowed one this last time when I did the bags its worth the money for the tool. It took me 5 mins to remove both sides with an impact wrench and TB tool..

Stylintrucks.com sells them

 

[Max]

Readylift does too.

 

[ItsAdam1]

ya I've seen them on ebay too.. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Tors...QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools#ht_793wt_898

 

[BlizzardX23]

whats the difference between that and a c-clamp?

I mean..I can obviously see they are different..but still...they do the same thing...

 

[BOSS]

More sturdy?

 

[Max]

Structural integrity so you don't pull some Darwin shit.

 

[TheFuzz]

A couple of reasons why the tool is better than a C-clamp:

A) It was designed for the job. There is a LOT of spring tension in the torsion bars - the tool was engineered to hold that pressure in check while you unload the bars.

B) More gripping surface area on the cross member. The tool hooks onto BOTH sides of the crossmember, giving you a more sturdy setup to work off of. The likelyhood of it slipping off is pretty low.

If you're using a C-clamp and it either fractures or slips off the crossmember, all of that tension will unload somewhere. More than likely into your hand or arm. At the very least it would severely **** up whatever tools are attached to the bolt when it goes.

Plenty of guys get away with doing it with C-clamps, but I'd rather use the right tools for the job and minimize the chances of getting hurt.

Look at Ty...I hate using my dude as an example, but he shattered his arm simply due to the fact that he was rushing and not using the proper safety stuff when he was changing his rear springs out.

 

[Max]

You're such an ******* lol.

 

[TheFuzz]

Haha I know man, I just had to use him as an example because it happened recently.

But thats what happens when you rush shit and don't take safety measures...and drink lots of beer before lifting the ass end of a 6500 pound truck, heh.





Ty, I still love you man.

 

[BOSS]

Haha I know man, I just had to use him as an example because it happened recently.

But thats what happens when you rush shit and don't take safety measures...and drink lots of beer before lifting the ass end of a 6500 pound truck, heh.

Ty, I still love you man.

Hey - he lived to tell. Let him be an example to others, you know damn well he will now run around and start telling people to do things the right way and not take short cuts.


B

 

[BlizzardX23]

Im sorry, Im just not understanding how the tool is used...is there a writeup somewhere with pics to show where this tool is put to unload the pressure?

btw..here on post, we have whats called "The Autocraft Center"

it a huge garage...like 7 or 8 bays on one side, and 7 or 8 on the other...with just about every tool known to man kind...one whole side has brand new hydraulic lifts...each bay comes with a complete roll away tool box...we have cherry pickers, engine stands, transmission stands...a complete sealed and ventilated paint booth...a sand blasting room, a place to do port and polish..welding..umm...anything and everything!

so Im renting a bay for $5 an hour (with the hydr. lift) and I'll do it there...just wondering if someone has any detailed instructions I can follow while Im there

 

[OKLAGMCRUISER]

tim has one he will rent out to you...fyi. belair55...

 

[TheFuzz]

Hey - he lived to tell. Let him be an example to others, you know damn well he will now run around and start telling people to do things the right way and not take short cuts.


B

Amen man. I'm really glad he wasn't hurt worse - I'm sure we all are. That was a wicked break though.

---------- Post added at 11:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:12 AM ----------

Im sorry, Im just not understanding how the tool is used...is there a writeup somewhere with pics to show where this tool is put to unload the pressure?

btw..here on post, we have whats called "The Autocraft Center"

it a huge garage...like 7 or 8 bays on one side, and 7 or 8 on the other...with just about every tool known to man kind...one whole side has brand new hydraulic lifts...each bay comes with a complete roll away tool box...we have cherry pickers, engine stands, transmission stands...a complete sealed and ventilated paint booth...a sand blasting room, a place to do port and polish..welding..umm...anything and everything!

so Im renting a bay for $5 an hour (with the hydr. lift) and I'll do it there...just wondering if someone has any detailed instructions I can follow while Im there

Ask and you shall recieve:

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums...keys-torsion-bar-cranking-replacing-tech.html

Look at the 7th picture down, and you'll see how the puller hooks up to the crossmember. With the puller, you've got it hooked up to BOTH sides of the frame, as opposed to a C-clamp where the flat part of the jaw just rests on top of it. The puller is a much more secure way of doing it.

That article is geared toward the lifting crowd, but the procedures for removing and installing the keys is pretty much identical.

By the way, that is a badass setup you have on post, I wish I had access to something like that. Is it just for you auto guys, or can anyone rent a booth?

 

[BlizzardX23]

its for ANYONE that wants to use it

btw, good lookin out..thanks for the link!

 

[TheFuzz]

No problem bro, it's a pretty good write up.

Man that is awesome...I'm reenlisting soon, so they better build something like that out at Buckley! (not gonna happen lol)