Torsion bar adjustment

[hilltophunter]

I read as much as I could gather B4 I adjusted my TB's. I cranked them 1.5"s total (just enough to level the truck). In all the research I found I didnt find anyone say that it would soften the ride? Is this possible or is it my imagination? I am also really trying to figure if I need an alignment......Any information will be awesome thanks

[silveradoHO]

I would say it's your imagination. I've never heard anyone say their truck rode softer after cranking the t-bars. Also, an alignment would be a good idea.

[TBLAZER]

I read as much as I could gather B4 I adjusted my TB's. I cranked them 1.5"s total (just enough to level the truck). In all the research I found I didnt find anyone say that it would soften the ride? Is this possible or is it my imagination? I am also really trying to figure if I need an alignment......Any information will be awesome thanks

Check your shocks they may be bottom out in the extended range,this will give you a rough ride,add spacers on the bottom mount bracket and the upper mount lower bushing washer or get longer shocks,you do need to get an alignment asap.

[silveradoHO]

I read as much as I could gather B4 I adjusted my TB's. I cranked them 1.5"s total (just enough to level the truck). In all the research I found I didnt find anyone say that it would soften the ride? Is this possible or is it my imagination? I am also really trying to figure if I need an alignment......Any information will be awesome thanks

Check your shocks they may be bottom out in the extended range,this will give you a rough ride,add spacers on the bottom mount bracket and the upper mount lower bushing washer or get longer shocks,you do need to get an alignment asap.

 

 

He said it seemed to soften his ride, not make it rougher.

[BigJayDogg3]

I saw elswhere that GM shipped trucks with the T-bars cranked all the way down, and what made the ride rougher. So when they cranked them up the ride was better. Or something like that. I don't remember all the details of the situation.

[scottmoyer]

I know what he's talking about. The ride has firmed up slightly, but because you lifted the center of gravity, the overall feel is softer. I experienced the same thing. The body roll has increased slightly on my truck also.

[Shawn84]

Quick question that i thought i'ld ask here; I am going to be leveling my truck with the Rough Country 1.5" kit. When i go to switch out keys do i have to use a GM Torsion Bar Unloader or will other tools work? would like a C-Clamp be strong enough?

[sceptre]

I had an s10 zr2 and it was riding really rough in the front...i checked it out one day and it was sitting approx 1/4" off the bump stops. I cranked the tbars until i was back to stock height and it rode much much softer. Not sure if this is your situation, but its possible.

 

also, like everyone else said, get the alignment asap

[GMC2500SHRTBD]

You should be able to take tension off the bolts with a gear puller. Much Cheaper than paying for the GM tool.

[04z71steve]

I'm not going to lie but i have a z71 and i'm not sure if he does but it might be in the shocks but when i adjusted my tb's... my ride got soft... she floats on the highway like a caddy, and when i'm off in some nasty stuff shes still stiff as a board..

 

But.. it may just be in my head thats tended to happen from time to time with me.. but i'm not really sure it seems like it has a MUCH better ride now that i messed with them..

 

steve

[Shawn84]

thx ill pick up a gear puller that is rated for a good amount and try it. I got a Rough Country Leveling kit expected to be delivered tomorrow.

[joshz79]

I'm new to this board and not trying to hi-jack this thread but my question falls under the torsion adj. I only want to level out the truck a little so after reading up on options to do so, I decided to adjust with the stock key. I made sure all the tire pressures were the same and measured from the ground to the fender. The passenger side front was 1/2" lower than the driver side front. After I turned both bolts an equal number of turns the passenger side had about 3 less threads showing. Took it off the jack and drove around, took new measurements and both were up about 1-1/4" but front passenger still was 1/2" lower. I turned the bolt in more so both sides read the same but driver side bolt has about 5/16 thread left where as the pass. only has about 1/8 left. Is this common to have unequal adj. to achive level?

 

Thanks for any help,

Josh

[Shawn84]

Now im not a licensed mechanic but i know physics to a degree. I would say get it aligned and re-measure, you might have thrown off ur stock alignment. If that's not it maybe one torsion bar has become twisted or gives more than the other. It might be normal to be different or you might have something just worn more on one side. But like i said im not a mechanic.

[FiTxAg04]

Quick question that i thought i'ld ask here; I am going to be leveling my truck with the Rough Country 1.5" kit. When i go to switch out keys do i have to use a GM Torsion Bar Unloader or will other tools work? would like a C-Clamp be strong enough?

 

I know I may be a little late here, but I used a 3-ton gear puller from Sears and it worked out great. I know GM's tool is something like $96 for a glorified C-clamp. HUGE waste of money and can only be used for one thing. Now I have a handy gear puller in my tool box for any future situation that may arise.

[ReggieRay]

Quick question that i thought i'ld ask here; I am going to be leveling my truck with the Rough Country 1.5" kit. When i go to switch out keys do i have to use a GM Torsion Bar Unloader or will other tools work? would like a C-Clamp be strong enough?

 

 

When I put F**D keys in my 02 Suburban, I used a 12" C-clamp.I thought it wold be strong enough because it was a very stout piece. Once I got started, I could see the clamp starting to bend.

The reason it was bending (and the reason for the GM J-tool) is because of the angle you have to clamp it at. It isnt a straight up/down clamping issue, and this forces the the regular c-clamp to bend. If you look closely at the GM tool you will see that the bottom jaw is offset.

I muddled through it, but if I had to do it again, I would buy the tool or try something else.