Torsion Bar info...

MillerClemsonHD · June 21, 2005

I know this topic is covered almost daily. I wanted to put this info out there for those who may be interested. If you do not want to have to buy the tool you can go to autozone and rent the ball joint press. This can be used safely to but the new keys in as well as take the old ones out. I wish I would have had a digital camera with me and I would have taken some pictures. Only hard part was when doing the pasenger side the exhaust pipes made it more difficult. It comes with two spacers, you only have to use one of them when you are putting the keys back in to be able to crank it up far enough. Would not want to do it when the pipes were real hot you will definately burn your hand. If you have anyquestions let me know.

silverad03 · June 22, 2005

I didn't want to buy the GM tool either so I started out with a Craftsman 5-ton 2-arm gear puller on the driver side.

Tensioning the bar with the ford key on it caused my puller to squeal and moan and it bent the lip on the cross member slightly due to the narrow width of the jaws. When I was done with the first side the little 5-ton puller was trashed, the push rod would barely turn with a wrench on it.

I took my puller back to Sears and grabbed a 7-ton puller. The Sears guy exchanged the pullers for me no problem (didn't even upcharge me for stepping up to the 7-ton ). Gotta love the lifetime warranty on Craftsman tools

Anyway, the point - the 7-ton puller had wider jaws and handled the passenger side with no problem whatsoever. I was kinda nervous handling the 5-ton puller b/c it swayed a little bit more than I preferred and obviously didn't handle the job very well but the 7-ton worked wonderfully.

ockgator · June 22, 2005

DO NOT USE A GEAR PULLER

our shop did a rancho 4" on an 05 GMC, one of the guys used a gear puller instead of the correct tool, puller flew off and went about 5 feet through the air, socket used to turn puller almost hit shop owner... he was about 15 feet away at the time, socket left good dent in office drywall.... about 20 feet away

03GMC2500HD · June 22, 2005

Yes the gear puller will work but your chances of losing your face is really high. Buck up the $75 for the right tool and do the job safely in half the time. The crossmember bending and the puller wobbling and moaning and groaning should be enough to throw up a red flag telling you that you are using the wrong tool! Glad you didn't get hurt!

03GMC2500HD · June 22, 2005

Yes the gear puller will work but your chances of losing your face is really high. Buck up the $75 for the right tool and do the job safely in half the time. The crossmember bending and the puller wobbling and moaning and groaning should be enough to throw up a red flag telling you that you are using the wrong tool! Glad you didn't get hurt!

silverad03 · June 22, 2005

ockgator, 03GMC2500HD....

you guys are probably right, better to err on the safe side and use the correct tool.

I tried to hunt around for the proper tool to rent but couldn't find one - even at local specialty tool shops (not for rent anyway).

Being a cheapskate isn't always the best way to go but, man, I just hated the thought of buying a tool at $75 that I would use for a total of about 1 hour and then get $30 out of it on ebay.

Yes, the risk is high and, overall $75 is cheap (even cheaper if you get any money out of the tool when you're done) insurance against a potential serious injury.

Get the proper tool if you can - the right tool makes all the difference. Try the gear puller at your own risk.

MillerClemsonHD · June 22, 2005

Reason I posted this info is bc the use of the ball joint press is safe. It is not like a gear puller and at no time was it unsafe. The ball joint press is a giant C clamp with a bolt running through the middle. The top of the C clamp is placed on the crossmember(bar where the torsion keys are mounted) then the bolt is placed on the key. Use a socket wrench to raise. There is not a danger of this popping off. Once you get it set on the top it isnt going to pop off. This route is much better for those trying to save money, bc you can RENT it for free from autozone. I would rather let people know they can do this instead of trying to use the puller. I know this method is safe and have 2 friends that did the exact same thing last weekend. If anyone has a question about it send me a PM and Ill answer them as best I can. If your not going to buy the torsion preloader tool I would recommend this method.

**Disclaimer so I dont get sued since you can get sued for anything these days. Im not responsible for any injuries nor am I a expert of any kind. Im an accountant not a mechanic.**

Yes the gear puller will work but your chances of losing your face is really high. Buck up the $75 for the right tool and do the job safely in half the time. The crossmember bending and the puller wobbling and moaning and groaning should be enough to throw up a red flag telling you that you are using the wrong tool! Glad you didn't get hurt!

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