torsion bars
Question:
I have a 99 GMC Sonoma 4X4 and not about to pay the $$$$$$$ for a 4 inch lift when all I want to do is bring the front end up an inch or two, to give it a more level appearance. If I were to crank the torsion bars I know I can lift the front of the truck. My questions are: Could I screw up my truck, would it change the ride much, would I need to re-align the front end if I raised it and inch or two, finally if I did have a problem and needed to take it in for warranty work I and lowered it(to the original posture) before I took it in, would they be able to tell that I had readjusted the torsion bars. Ross * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!
Response:
oh boy, if you sonoma is anything like my k 1500…..spend the extra money for the lift. going up even an inch cause my truck to ride like an armor car…plus do to the added strain on the components i broke a ball joint, which was $180 dollars to replace. and oh yes….your aliment will be shot and you will notice significant wear on the inside of the the tires.
Response:
Since I have increased the weight on the front of my truck, I need to raise it back to where I had it before. To do so, I need to crank the torsion bars up to lift the height at the fender well center by 5/8-3/4". That doesn’t sound like much, but I want it to look the same as it did before and I am really particular about things. What is the best way to do this? I am unfamiliar with cranking these up, so please be specific. The other thing is, do I need to have one front tire on a dolley, so the front susp. can spread as it goes up to get a true height adjustment?
Response:
IMHO I’d take it to an alignment shop, make sure that they can, and will, adjust ride height to specs, along with alignment. However, if you want to do it yourself, measure both sides at the same point; eg: front frame extensions, lower fender edge… Bring the lower side up to level the truck. Bounce the suspension. When level, turn each adjuster and even amount, bounce and measure until the height is to your liking. Move the truck a few feet, measure again. Then you might want to have it aligned, anyway.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Since I have increased the weight on the front of my truck, I need to raise > it back to where I had it before. To do so, I need to crank the torsion > bars up to lift the height at the fender well center by 5/8-3/4". That > doesn’t sound like much, but I want it to look the same as it did before and > I am really particular about things. What is the best way to do this? I am > unfamiliar with cranking these up, so please be specific. > The other thing is, do I need to have one front tire on a dolley, so the > front susp. can spread as it goes up to get a true height adjustment?
Response:
easiest way to do what you are looking to do is get a 18mm socket [1/2"drive] and a breaker bar or big ratchet. locate the torsion bars and follow them to where they attach [~3' back of front suspension]. there you will see a bolt that is 18mm. it is right at the end of the torsion bars. give each side a turn [tighten them] and then drive the truck a bit to cycle the suspension. keep doing this until you have the height back to where you want it. if one side is more than the other, then loosen or tighten one side [depending on if it's lower or higher] by 1/4 to 1/2 turn and repeat the suspension cycling. when you get it where you want it, you’re done. — nick leinonen markham, ontario, canada .
Since I have increased the weight on the front of my truck, I need to raise it back to where I had it before. To do so, I need to crank the torsion bars up to lift the height at the fender well center by 5/8-3/4". That doesn’t sound like much, but I want it to look the same as it did before and I am really particular about things. What is the best way to do this? I am unfamiliar with cranking these up, so please be specific. The other thing is, do I need to have one front tire on a dolley, so the front susp. can spread as it goes up to get a true height adjustment?
