Adjusting torsion bars to get front end lift

03 Cobra · May 14, 2020

I am looking for input from anyone that has messed with their torsion bars.

I recently noticed my 2015 2500HD had the torsion bars adjusted by the original owner. The bolts that adjust the torsion keys are not turned in the same amount and one side of the truck is 3/16" higher than the other.

Should the bolts be turned in the same amount to get the front end level? Should I mess with it or leave it alone? It goes straight down the road and the tire wear is perfect.

corn18 · May 15, 2020

Is the passenger side 3/16" higher? If so, that is normal due to the fuel tank being on the driver's side. I wouldn't change anything for 3/16" if it tracks true and has normal tire wear.

kenny_r · May 15, 2020

I’m lifted and there is about 3/16-1/4 of difference between mine.[emoji2375]

03 Cobra · May 15, 2020

Thanks for the input, Guys! Actually it is the driver's side that is higher. I re-measured and it's closer to 1/4" higher. It's the driver's side bolt that is turned in about 1/4" more as well.

Overall it's probably best to leave it alone but it's very difficult for me to do that ! My personality (flaw) would have me mess with it until I get it perfect side to side even if it took hours to do that. Then I would want to get an alignment and make sure my steering wheel is straight. Then I would stress if it started pulling to one side or another (now it is not pulling at all). In the end I shouldn't have even measured but it was when I noticed the offset in the bolts that made me look into it.

redwngr · May 17, 2020

On 5/15/2020 at 11:40 AM, 03 Cobra said:

Thanks for the input, Guys! Actually it is the driver's side that is higher. I re-measured and it's closer to 1/4" higher. It's the driver's side bolt that is turned in about 1/4" more as well.

How much fuel was in the tank when you measured it?

Substitute 'driver' in the seat when you measured?

Edited May 17, 2020 by redwngr

corn18 · May 17, 2020

You could be chasing 1/4" needlessly. But if you want to take a couple turns off the driver's torsion key, you won't dork anything up. I put 4 turns on both sides after I dropped the rear and put in airbags and that gave me 1/2" lift to get me to perfectly level. That day. Now it's off again by 1/4" front to back. I'm sure under other conditions it's off 1/4" the other direction. So I stopped measuring.

03 Cobra · May 18, 2020

@ redwngr, good question on the fuel level. I didn't check that before measuring and there was no-one in the driver's seat. I'll measure again and take note of the fuel level then I'll get in the truck and have someone re-measure to see if it changes. After all that I'll report back because I'm sure everyone is interested to see how this story ends !

@ Tom Hole, I can see that the measurement will change a little from day to day so in the end you have to get it close and walk away. I plan to get different tires before winter so I may try to hold out until then. That might be a good time to put on new tires, adjust the torsion bolts, get the truck level side to side, get an alignment, drive to make sure it tracks true, then be done with it.

Big Whiskey · May 19, 2020

Ahhhh, another case of the good ole "chevy lean" that most OCD truck owners struggle with, haha. It's very common. If you're only 1/4" off, then you're doing much better than most. If your tires are wearing evenly, the truck tracks straight, and your steering wheel is straight, then I wouldn't worry about it. And, it's normal for the torsion bar bolts to be uneven as well. Many owners have found that they're able to crank one side more than the other, before their bolts bottom out. If it really worries you, then I'd recommend going with your plan of getting everything fixed up when you get your new tires.

03 Cobra · May 19, 2020

Thanks, Whiskey. I am taming my OCD with the plan of "fixing" it in the fall when I get new rubber. Then I'll do my plan to adjust, level, align, etc. Then I'll be happy for a few months until I give in and measure it in January or February only to find out I am 3/16" off again. Then I'll be posting here because I won't remember this post I am writing in right now.

Dunn · June 24, 2020

I have brand new 2020 2500 HD and bolts aren't even.....it drives great so am not messing with it......trucks don't weigh/balance the same left to right so to me it makes perfect sense they would be different

I would just leave it alone.....youll end up making a problem where there isn't one

Edited June 24, 2020 by Dunn

03 Cobra · June 26, 2020

Agree. Leaving it alone for now. I have found that the front right to left measurements change from trip to trip and day to day. I think where the suspension "settles" after you park definitely affects the ground to fender numbers. It might not settle the same side to side and might settle a little in the upward or downward stroke. Also need to make sure you are measuring on flat ground with both tires on the same plane. Also the position of the rear side to side (from gas tank volume and cargo in bed offset one side or another) can affect how the front comes out to an extent. I can't believe I spend so much time thinking about things like this! LOL!!!!

gearheadesw · June 28, 2020

I know I can't see a quarter of an inch off side to side, I would have to measure it.....And, outa sight, outa mind. It drives great? Put the tape measure away.