Installing torsion bars- shouldn't this be the easy part?
I had to help a family member move this weekend so I didn't have too much time but after unbolting everything, I was able to get the passenger side to slide the rest of the way in...but it still took some whacks with the hammer and I don't even know if unbolting the shock made a difference.
Driver's side is still stuck half way in and I ran out of time...at this point I'm inclined to back it out, clean everything up, make sure there isn't excess grease anywhere and try again.
Just a quick question: Has anyone else actually installed Sway-Away torsion bars yet? Could they have a tolerance issue?
You say "rubber mallet". Get rid of that and get a real hammer. A real BIG hammer. If you are worried about the T bar, use something in between like a HARDwood block or a big scrap of brass. You want a "solid" hit. Personally, I'd just use a (preferably dead blow) hammer
Yeah, I've done a bit of that too. I have a trusty one-hand sized sledge hammer that solves all kinds of problems in my life. I gave the driver's side bar a bunch of whacks with through a piece of hard wood which didn't help...then I tried smacking it directly a few times...and my fear of doing real damage to the control arm, body mount and spring set in.
Usually I only resort to the big hammer when I'm 100% sure of the results and that's not where I am at the moment. I'm imagining damage to parts that I can't really afford to replace at the moment. :D
Thanks again for all of the input. I'm getting there little by little.
Fortunately or unfortunately, My part of Connecticut just got a fresh coat of road salt on Friday and the temps remain March-like for the next week so I don't feel like I'm missing out on hotrodding time just yet...but we're getting close. I already missed my March 30th deadline for wrapping up my list of winter projects.