Cranking Torsion Bars

kadams · February 26, 2009

I've been reading a lot about cranking up the torsion bars to level out the front end, and that's what I would like to do. I'm not looking at trying to get a 4" lift for free or anything, just want to get the rake out. My question is - is it possible to go back to stock if I want to? I'm guessing you can and I probably won't want to but it would be nice to have that option. And has anyone here gone back and why?

DofD · February 26, 2009

Hi there and welcome to GM Trucks!

If you crank the torsion bars for more lift, you can go back. If you have to change the torsion keys, one should keep the stock keys to return to stock configuration.

There's lots of threads on the forum here that talk about different methods of lifts. Torsion cranking is a common method but it can result in premature wear and failures of suspension and steering components if any more than just a little cranking is done. To take the rake out you'd need to do a significant crank to the front torsion bar which would result in a harsher ride and put the front suspension and steering components into an undesirable geometry.

BuckFeverZ · February 26, 2009

You can easily return the truck to stock. You just have to crank the torsion bars back down.

If and when you decide to crank the torsion bars to level it, a good rule of thumb is to not crank them more than 1.5" so you don't have excessive wear on front end components.

BTW, be sure to get an alignment.

Zembonez · February 26, 2009

You can easily return the truck to stock. You just have to crank the torsion bars back down.

If and when you decide to crank the torsion bars to level it, a good rule of thumb is to not crank them more than 1.5" so you don't have excessive wear on front end components.

BTW, be sure to get an alignment.

+1

kadams · February 26, 2009

One more question - is there a certain angle that I should not exceed for the CV joint? I have seen a lot of people say "don't have too big of an angle" but no one seems to say what that would be.

2000DV4.8 · February 27, 2009

One more question - is there a certain angle that I should not exceed for the CV joint? I have seen a lot of people say "don't have too big of an angle" but no one seems to say what that would be.

There is no set angle, per se, but just make sure your CV joints don't look like they're anywhere near their limit, make sure the boot on your upper ball joints isn't anywhere near being stretched, and same with the outer tie rod ends.

kadams · February 27, 2009

One more question - is there a certain angle that I should not exceed for the CV joint? I have seen a lot of people say "don't have too big of an angle" but no one seems to say what that would be.

There is no set angle, per se, but just make sure your CV joints don't look like they're anywhere near their limit, make sure the boot on your upper ball joints isn't anywhere near being stretched, and same with the outer tie rod ends.

That makes sense, thanks. I like the stance of your truck and that is what I'm hoping to achieve, looks like nice weather this weekend so hopefully I'll get it done by Monday.

2000DV4.8 · February 27, 2009

One more question - is there a certain angle that I should not exceed for the CV joint? I have seen a lot of people say "don't have too big of an angle" but no one seems to say what that would be.

There is no set angle, per se, but just make sure your CV joints don't look like they're anywhere near their limit, make sure the boot on your upper ball joints isn't anywhere near being stretched, and same with the outer tie rod ends.

That makes sense, thanks. I like the stance of your truck and that is what I'm hoping to achieve, looks like nice weather this weekend so hopefully I'll get it done by Monday.

Thanks. I'm running a little over an inch of crank in the front (it has settled about 1/4" since I cranked), with 265s, just in case you were wondering.