1st Gen Dakota Tech 1987 - 1996 Dodge Dakota Tech - The ultimate forum for technical help on the 1st Gen Dakota.

Torsion Bar Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 10-29-2009, 06:13 PM
95_318SLT's Avatar
95_318SLT
95_318SLT is offline
Champion
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 4,842
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default Torsion Bar Question

Have any of you guys with cranked torsion bars noticed them "settling" at all? The backstory to that question is this...

Last summer, when I noticed the frame on my truck was bent (from an accident before I had it), I pulled the frame out at the body shop. It was bent at the rear lower control arm mount on the driver's side (frame was rolled inward). After replacing it, I decided to replace that torsion bar. I bought a new one from a dealership and installed it at the same time I got my lift keys. So with the newly fixed frame and lift keys and cranked torsion bars, I got the front end realigned. 3 times since then, I've had to re-crank that left torsion bar to level it with the right cause it keeps sagging. For those of you who remember when I removed the swaybar, that was the most recent time I've messed with them (got it realigned right after that), and a couple days ago I noticed the left side was again sitting about a 1/2 inch low. I remeasured it half a dozen times since to make sure it wasn't just parked weird.

What are ya'lls thoughts?
 

Last edited by 95_318SLT; 10-29-2009 at 06:33 PM.
  #2  
Old 10-29-2009, 06:27 PM
skyshark186's Avatar
skyshark186
skyshark186 is offline
Captain
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

With how much you have them cranked I wouldnt think it to be impossible. Plus if your sway bar was forcing one to work harder(whichever had the better spring rate) I would think that would make it worse.

Seems plausible.

Lol...If ya need a pair that match theres some chillin under the pile of original parts I have.
 
  #3  
Old 10-29-2009, 06:49 PM
'95Dakota's Avatar
'95Dakota
'95Dakota is offline
Professional
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: CANADA EH!
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

it sounds right to me. Every new part has a break in period of some sort.
 
  #4  
Old 10-29-2009, 07:16 PM
Crazy4x4RT's Avatar
Crazy4x4RT
Crazy4x4RT is offline
Hall Of Fame
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NM
Posts: 10,926
Received 16 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

Ya sounds like you just gotta let it find its resting place. Are both keys around th same spot on the bolts. I have heard of stories where people park there truck at an angle for to long, or everynight and it sits slanted.
 
  #5  
Old 10-29-2009, 10:02 PM
95_318SLT's Avatar
95_318SLT
95_318SLT is offline
Champion
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 4,842
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Alright, thanks guys! I was just worrying about it since it's been over a year and it still seems to be settling down.

Actually, no, the bolts are different, but I think thats just cause the frame might not be back to 100% in that spot. It hasn't caused any alignment issues, and it looks right, but I'm sure its still off a little.

I wonder if it has to do with the truck being up in the air on jack stands while I was working on the tranmission and doing the transfer case swap. As soon as I get my 15/16 inch socket back from a buddy of mine I'll just crank that side again so it sits level. Its already aligned to sit up there, so I just need to get it back up there.
 



Quick Reply: Torsion Bar Question



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:58 AM.