Easy Torsion Bar Boot Install

[SeabeckRedneck]

While putting larger torsion bars on my 1970 B body it looked like the boots looked too small. Even after adding grease, I couldn't push them on by hand. So I found a plastic plumbing connector that is the exact diameter of the torsion bar (point to point). It is the beige piece in the photos. With the correct socket sizes and my vice, I was able to press the plumbing piece into the boot. Then I held the socket against the boot after slipping the large diameter over the torsion bar and just grabbed the torsion bar and pressed it forward against a socket. The socket just pushed the boot right onto the torsion bar! No wrestling or fighting.
I hope this helps someone.

 

[moparedtn]

Excellent presentation - not to mention, clever execution - much appreciate your efforts to share this.

 

[gkent]

Not like any boot I've ever seen. The boots on mine go on the frame end, not the LCA end.

 

[493 Mike]

Not like any boot I've ever seen. The boots on mine go on the frame end, not the LCA end.

It will slide over the T bar to the frame anchor.
Mike

 

[70 SUPERBIRD]

Thank you sharing this information

 

[copper67sat]

Great tip
I did something similar with a stack of sockets that I taped together. Last one was the size of the torsion bar end. The poly boots slid on fairly easily.

7

 

[Kern Dog]

While putting larger torsion bars on my 1970 B body it looked like the boots looked too small. Even after adding grease, I couldn't push them on by hand. So I found a plastic plumbing connector that is the exact diameter of the torsion bar (point to point). It is the beige piece in the photos. With the correct socket sizes and my vice, I was able to press the plumbing piece into the boot. Then I held the socket against the boot after slipping the large diameter over the torsion bar and just grabbed the torsion bar and pressed it forward against a socket. The socket just pushed the boot right onto the torsion bar! No wrestling or fighting.
I hope this helps someone.

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Thanks for the idea.
OR you let the boot sit in a container of HOT water long enough to soften it up.

 

[gkent]

Get a small plastic kitchen funnel and trim the large end to just slightly bigger than the t-bar.