Broken torsion adjustment bolt...

[charlie_foxtrott]

Howdy Y'all,

I am grateful this site exists. I have found answers and guidance to many questions.

I am building my first Mopar, a 73 Charger given to me by the father-in-law as a wedding gift. He bought it new, but it had been sitting in a corn field for the last 20 years. Surprisingly, only the trunk pan and rockers have rotted away. Overall, very solid. But I digress...

My present challenge is, the bolt on the LCA that adjusts the torsion bar suspension snapped.

I figure I need to compress (twist) the spring enough that I can get the old bolt cut out and replaced.

In an effort to liberate it, I've fought with it for three days trying anything that wouldn't kill me or do more damage. No such luck.


Any suggestions?


The engine & tranny have been removed. This is probably making it more difficult, as I have to brace against the k-frame rather than the floor.

What I have tried essentially is to compress the spring by raising the spindle assembly (using 1/2" all-thread through the shock mount) then grab the end of the adjustment lever using various apparatus and brace to the opposite side engine mount. (I apologize for not knowing the proper terminology yet.) Chains, cable, and strap-steel just wind around the LCA pivot when lowered.

I'm thinking about a big pipe wrench on the hub and a porta-power from the handle to the k-frame's opposite side. This, however, is getting close to getting hurt. 

If that doesn't work, I'm thinking about dropping the driver side torsion rear support with the floor jack. I fear that will tear up sheet metal.

Last ditch, using the torch to slowly weaken the spring and let it self-destruct. I would seriously rather avoid these methods.


Best regards,
CF

[Hemidoug]

If you have access to a cutting torch I would try cutting the bolt off or cutting the part it screws through...... I don't know what you are planing on replacing, but obviously the bolt will have to be replaced anyway.....Nothing like the blue tipped wrench!

[RallyeMike]

Bust loose the upper ball joint and let the whole assembly drop taking the tension off the bar.

Are you really gonna keep the T-bars or get bigger ones to improve ride handling? Theyre cheap. Just torch the T-bar.

[375instroke]

Remove the C-clip from the back of the torsion bar, loosen the LCA bolt on the front of the K-frame so the nut surface is even with the end of the bolt, and hit the front with a BFG.

[RallyeMike]

hit the front with a BFG.

60 or 70's series? 

[Chargerguy74]

I'd probably torch the torsion bar after 3 days.

[charlie_foxtrott]

Thanks everyone.

Seems there is no graceful way to do this.

Mr. RallyeMike, If I may ask, what suspension setup are you running in your 72 road racer?

-CF