Torsion bar removal tool

[weaseldog]

I'm getting ready to replace my upper and lower control arms and everything I keep seeing says to use a torsion bar removal tool to take the torsion bars off. Do I really need to go and buy this special tool that cost alot of money from what i have seen, and will probably never use again. Or is there another way? If I do have to buy the tool where is a cheap place to get one from?

 

[Yellowsplash]

Why are you removing your lower control arms?

If your trying to remove the balljoints they simply press out of the control arm, no need to remove it or the torsion bar.

 

[weaseldog]

I have heard and read in different places that you had to replace the lower control arm because the ball joint and arm came as one unit, and also so you would be replacing the bushings to. Kill 2 birds with one stone type of thing. This is my first time tackling this type of thing so I'm open to any and all suggestions. Thanks for the help.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

If you need lower balljoints....just replace the balljoints. The upper control arm is replaced as a unit (and the upper bushings are the ones that usually show wear) but the lower balljoint can be replaced separately.

While you have the uppers out, install alignment cams and have it aligned afterwards.

 

[Yellowsplash]

Agreed....

 

[weaseldog]

Thanks for setting me straight on that guys. But one more quick question, when you go to replace the lower ball joint do you still have to loosen the torsion bar in order to drop the arm down to remove the ball joint?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

No, support the vehicle by the lower control arms, remove the steering knuckle/brakes and then you can remove the snap ring and press the lower balljoint out of the control arm.

 

[Yellowsplash]

Correct...you won't have to touch the tbars. The tbars will still hold up the vehicle with a jack under it if you decide to do so. You only have to remove the axleshaft nut, calipers and brackets, rotors, loosen upper balljoint pinch bolt, pop balljoint stud out, remove lower balljoint nut, remove knuckle, remove c-clip and press balljoint out.