Removing the torsion bars from my '68 charger...*pics*

[Rack]

I did a search and found a few helpful threads, but I'm still not 100% sure how to do this.

I went around town looking for a torsion bar tool but no one carries it (O'Reilly, Autozone, few others...). The only place that might have it is the college (body shop class). Don't think they'd loan it to me though.


Anyway, here's some pics I took, maybe some of you experts can drill into my thick skull how to get this done. I've removed everything but the k-frame and steering box (doing that first thing tomorrow).

First, this is how much I know (or that I think I know). The nuts on the inner part of the k-frame are the "Tension" adjusters (I think). Edit: I just did a bit more research, and apparantly the bolt that adjust the tension of the torsion bar is the one underneath the LCA? If so, what does that bolt do that I previously though was used to control the tension of the torsion bar?  I've removed the passenger side nut, but the driver's side won't come out, the whole bolts spins with the nut. Also, I have to remove the retainer clips at the back end of the torsion bars. That's all I know so far (or think I know). After I remove the clips and nuts, how do I get it out? Is it suppose to just slide out to the back?

Again, sorry for the dumb questions. I can tell you I'm learning a lot just taking the charger apart, but I've got A LOT MORE to learn. I'll be asking more questions when I start removing the rearend (had to wait on that cuz I had to order a trident head socket so I can remove the gas cap/filler tube).


Driver's side:







This is the nut that won't come off. The whole "bolt" turns when I turn the nut.



Passenger's side:



This bolt came off. I put it back on about 1/2 a turn just so I wouldn't lose the nut while I research how to remove the torsion bars.







Also, about that gas pedal cable (don't know the correct terminology for it) that's all messed up... I DIDN'T DO THAT. It was like that when I got the car, along with almost all the wiring. I tell ya, rewiring this thing was gonna be hard enough even if the previous wiring were complete and all hooked up, it's gonna be a major challenge when the time comes.

[OttawaCharger]

Rack - you're almost there. You're correct in that the bolt inside the lower control arm loosens the torsion bar
On your last pic, there is a clip inside the back torsion bar retainer.  Remove that clip as the torsion bar has to slide back through the rear retainer past that clip a bit o come out of th socket at the front.  There isn't a bolt or nut on the torsion bar itself.
On my car, I was able to get the torsion bars out without a tool once I'd loosened up all the front suspension.  I had to wiggle it a lot but it came out.  As you probably already know, unless you're replacing the bars, don't use any pliers or Vice grips n them.

[mikepmcs]

Bob, after you remove that clip...

undo the front nut on the lower control arm pin & pry the T bar and arm out using a pry bar between the K frame & LCA.

Here's a good thread even though it says lower control arm bushing replacement.  Give it a read, cause it talks about t bars.

   http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,10659.0.html


one question though.  you did unload the tbars right(using the bolt in the center of the LCA.)  If not,  it could be very dangerous when you get it separated if that tbar still has a load on it.

v/r
Mike

[Rack]

Rack - you're almost there. You're correct in that the bolt inside the lower control arm loosens the torsion bar
On your last pic, there is a clip inside the back torsion bar retainer.  Remove that clip as the torsion bar has to slide back through the rear retainer past that clip a bit o come out of th socket at the front.  There isn't a bolt or nut on the torsion bar itself.
On my car, I was able to get the torsion bars out without a tool once I'd loosened up all the front suspension.  I had to wiggle it a lot but it came out.  As you probably already know, unless you're replacing the bars, don't use any pliers or Vice grips n them.

Bob, after you remove that clip...

undo the front nut on the lower control arm pin & pry the T bar and arm out using a pry bar between the K frame & LCA.

Here's a good thread even though it says lower control arm bushing replacement.  Give it a read, cause it talks about t bars.

   http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,10659.0.html


one question though.  you did unload the tbars right(using the bolt in the center of the LCA.)  If not,  it could be very dangerous when you get it separated if that tbar still has a load on it.

v/r
Mike

Thanks for the replies, Fellas. I got it done!

Mike, yeah I had already loosened that bolt on the LCA.

I actually got them both out w/o too much trouble. Just squirted a whole bunch of WD-40 at the ends of the T-Bar and jiggled till it finally came out. Definitely not worth it to pay $40 for that tool (unless I'm gonna need it when I install my new t-bars  ).

Thanks again, Fellas. Couldn't of done it without your help.

[OttawaCharger]