torsion bar crank question

[MaGiKaLsHoTs]

ok so i tried to crank my torsion bars on my 01 the other day and the bolt just kinda like got really hard to turn.. and theres plenty of threads left to go more, but then i set it back down and measured it.. it only added like 1/2" but parked it looks alot more than that.. should when i measure; should it measure the 2-3inchs? or is there a reason my torsion bar bolt isnt turning anymore?

please help thanks

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I think your supposed to jack it up so that its 3" off the ground then crank till the tires touch then drop it and drive it a bit to let it settle. Then it should give you like 1 -2" of lift. This all according to a tech page i read somewhere.

 

[MaGiKaLsHoTs]

yeah i did jack it up 3 inchs off the ground but the bolts got really hard to turn so i dont know whats going on with them.. one of these days im going to take the bolts all the way out and clean the crap outa the threads and see if that helps

 

[Original_Ranger84]

That was gonna be my next suggestion... Get a wire brush and clean up the treads. But i would imagine that it would be hard to crank to begin with as they are holding up the trucks suspension and therefore tight.

 

[MaGiKaLsHoTs]

yea but even with the tires off the ground? it still shouldnt be tight because when u crank them it lowers the tires.. it should be easy when they are off the ground

 

[JohnnyO]

It's possible that the key is maxed out even if the bolt isn't. Differences in the bolt's threads from side to side are normal too. You never want to turn it up more than 1.5" anyway.

 

[MaGiKaLsHoTs]

well i wasnt going to go the whole 3 inchs.. but the difference it made only changed by 1/2 an inch and the keys are almost, they have like maybe a 1/8 of a inch before they will start poking out of the whole on top but the bolt wont turn anymore its wierd

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Well It still should be pretty tight as you are essentially twisting a big thick metal bar more...

 

[MaGiKaLsHoTs]

true.. i dont know im thinkin of just having a shop do it when i get a body lift for it

 

[tanbuddy]

When the truck is in the air, the tires arent gonna move down when u crank the bars, the shocks limit the down travel.

 

[MaGiKaLsHoTs]

hmm so maybe i did crank them up all the way.. but shouldnt the difference when u measure it be 3"? mine is only 1/2" thats what i dont get

 

[Original_Ranger84]

When the truck is in the air, the tires arent gonna move down when u crank the bars, the shocks limit the down travel.

Hah never thought about that... maybe your supposed to undo the shock first?

 

[tanbuddy]

measure the tire 2 fender clearance, jack it up, crank the bars, then lower it and drive around the block and measure again. Do this until u get 1 1/2 or 2 inches of lift!

 

[MaGiKaLsHoTs]

thats what i did tanbuddy, everything u just said minus the drive around the block.. but it only made a increase of 1/2 an inch and then i tried to crank them again and the bolt got really hard to turn.. thats why im so confused on this lol

edit: i forgot this for some reason but only the driver side bolt got tight.. the passenger bolt i was able to keep cranking.. and when i lowered the passenger the max difference i got was a lil over an 1"..

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Thats probably the difference in the bolt tightness. I saw a lifted chevy that had the passenger side cranked down all the way but the driver side had probably half the threads still.