lowering the rear - washers are off BUT bars are stuck! - Saxperience

Curran · 10th July 2007, 13:42

ok i've got a bit of a problem.

i'm trying to lower the torsion bars but i cant get the washers off on either side!!

is there a trick to doing it or anything i can try?

do they NEED to be removed before the torsion bars will come out or can i try and pull the torsion bars out with them still on?

i have removed all the torx T40 bolts but the washers are still on.

it doesnt give me much hope for getting out the torsion bars if i cant even get the washers off!

i really need to get it done today. i've been trying for ages with no luck.

please help.

Scott^p · 10th July 2007, 13:50

the bars wont go anywhere with the washers in. Try some heat.

Plenty of wd40 or better rust treatment stuff, move the washer round first rather than trying to get it out in one go, get it moving first then you will be able to see the offset and where it needs to be moved to to get it out, move it to there then use a screwdriver to prise it out. Give it a good clean when its out and grease. Pain in the balls really but stick at it.

Then wait til you try to get them back in....

Curran · 10th July 2007, 13:55

ok. cheers scott, i'll give it a go.

i didnt think it would be suck a pain in the arse to lower the torsion bars!

Scott^p · 10th July 2007, 14:04

ha ha once you have done it once and greased everything up or if its not rusted to start with then its a piece of piss

Curran · 10th July 2007, 14:26

i've managed to get one side off now :d

another question..... now i've measured each side, as standard the passenger side is 26cm and the drivers side is 28cm. should they be the same? or shall i just take off the same amount (60mm) from each side?

the car has been up on axle stands over night if that makes any difference.

i did measure the passenger side yesterday and it was 25.5cm ??

Scott^p · 10th July 2007, 14:39

not surprised there is a difference i remember there being a cm or 2 difference in mine. Just lower them both the same and go from there.

Luke_vts · 10th July 2007, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxo17s

i've managed to get one side off now :d

another question..... now i've measured each side, as standard the passenger side is 26cm and the drivers side is 28cm. should they be the same? or shall i just take off the same amount (60mm) from each side?

the car has been up on axle stands over night if that makes any difference.

i did measure the passenger side yesterday and it was 25.5cm ??

mate how did you manage to get the washers off in the end!????

Curran · 10th July 2007, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke_vts

mate how did you manage to get the washers off in the end!????

exactly as scott said. i managed to get it to rotate then it came out easily.

i've only got one off at the moment. one more to go

Luke_vts · 10th July 2007, 15:41

good luck mate. post up later with how the progress has gone after you get the next washer out. I want to do my torsion bar at the weekend so any information you have about doing it could help loads!

Curran · 10th July 2007, 16:56

ok, the second washer is out. but now neither of the bars want to budge.

is there anything i can use in addition to my slide hammer to get them out?

i've already used nearly 1 can of WD40 on them but still no luck

Scott^p · 10th July 2007, 17:16

slide hammers are good if the bars are not seized if they are I dont think a slide hammer will ever move them.

Two options easiest being the bolt method, where you use a bolt and a few nuts with a socket to pull the bar out. Stevenet15 has a great picture explaining:

Or you remove the washer from the other side and use an extension bar and a fuck off hammer to hammer the bars out

Curran · 10th July 2007, 17:38

ah i see. that helps a lot. thanks

my arm is hurting from using the sliding hammer so much and it didnt even budge 1mm.

joncorpssaxo · 10th July 2007, 18:16

this has been a great help. i tryed to do mine at the weekend but i couldnt get the washers off. so the front got done. 50mm but the back is still standard looks wierd... il try again at the weekend

Curran · 10th July 2007, 18:41

the picture makes it look so simple.

i cant find anything suitable to bridge the hole thats strong enough. everything i have used so far has bent and the bar has stayed put.

stevenet15 · 10th July 2007, 19:08

use a bar and a 7lb lump hammer and hammer the torsion bar from the other side at the same time as usign the silde hammer or the bolt on the other, will need two of you but will work

Curran · 10th July 2007, 19:24

i hope it doesnt take that much effort. especially as i have no-one to help me.

what about the drivers side bar because you cant access the other end to hit with a hammer?

they certainly arent budging at the moment

stevenet15 - do you fancy a trip to peterborough by any chance?

stevenet15 · 10th July 2007, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxo17s

i hope it doesnt take that much effort. especially as i have no-one to help me.

what about the drivers side bar because you cant access the other end to hit with a hammer?

they certainly arent budging at the moment

stevenet15 - do you fancy a trip to peterborough by any chance?

yes you can once the passenger side torsion bar is out the arm will hang low enough or you can lift it up enough for you to get the bar in on the drivers one

Curran · 10th July 2007, 19:29

ok cool. that means i will have to remove the other 2 washers though. and the first 2 were a right pain to get out.

above in your diagram it says 'fit bolt and socket to torsion bar'. what did you use?

did you actually use a socket? cos i cant get one to fit over the hole and not let the bolt go through the middle.

stevenet15 · 10th July 2007, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxo17s

ok cool. that means i will have to remove the other 2 washers though. and the first 2 were a right pain to get out.

above in your diagram it says 'fit bolt and socket to torsion bar'. what did you use?

did you actually use a socket? cos i cant get one to fit over the hole and not let the bolt go through the middle.

yeah a socket and bolt and it fitted perfectly cant remember what size i used tho think it miht have been a 28mm 3/8th but cnt remember, u can allways put some big wasters on the bolt to stop it goingthrough the middle if the hole in the socket is to big, and make sure the bolt goes far in the torsion bar as if its only on a few threads it will probably rip them out

Curran · 10th July 2007, 19:40

ok, never mind.

i'll have another go tomorrow. if i cant get them out then i'll have to put it back together as it is. otherwise the car will only have 2 wheels for FCS.