Torsion Bars 101

[Rons05z71]

Well today I got to spend some time with the new truck, I decided to change out most of my fluids, (brake, ps, transfer case, and tranny) put in a new set of plugs and wires and realized that there are like 10? grease fittings that need greasing. But while I was laying under the truck I was looking at the torsion bars and realized that I know NOTHING about how a torsion bar works. So my questions are. How does/what does etc. a torsion bar work/do. Also at the end of the bar its shaped like an hexagon, but it seems thats its a dry fit with the frame part, should there be some grease or something in there? Does this piece move at all? Thanks

[97SierraGMC]

10 spark plugs?

 

also its just a thick piece of spring steel that is slipped into the lower control arm and then into a torsion key in a cross member.

 

the key is under tension because of a bolt holding it that way, but when you go over bump the torsion bar "flexes"

 

and no it doesn't need to be greased because it doesn't move

[Rons05z71]

It was like 10 grease fittings. Thanks for the info, what happens when you turn that bolt?

[BuckFeverZ]

10 spark plugs?

 

also its just a thick piece of spring steel that is slipped into the lower control arm and then into a torsion key in a cross member.

 

the key is under tension because of a bolt holding it that way, but when you go over bump the torsion bar "flexes"

 

and no it doesn't need to be greased because it doesn't move

 

 

He was referring to how my zerk's there are.

[ukrkoz]

It was like 10 grease fittings. Thanks for the info, what happens when you turn that bolt?

 

you stiffen or loosen your front end suspension. also, you can raise or lower front end. the more you raise, the stiffer it gets.