Torsion Bar Retainer Clip Groove

[Royce Brown]

Hi, I was wondering if anybody knows about how deep into the back of the torsion bar cross member the retainer clip groove is located? I replaced the cross member a couple years ago and just got the new suspension in last weekend. I went to put the clips in and I couldn't find the groove. I pushed the torsion bars as far in as they would go and still no sign of the groove. The torsion bars are now recessed a half inch in to the cross member. Is it possible that my less than reputable brand cross member just doesn't have a groove in it for the clips? If so can I just put a groove in with a dremel?

 

[dadsbee]

Sounds odd...

 

[Royce Brown]

Sounds odd...

Thanks for the pics! Yep, certainly odd. Yours appears to be in the very back. I thought my original one was too. Guess I need to bust out the dremel!

 

[dadsbee]

Looks like I can JUST see a grove in there, but that's definitely too deep!

 

[Royce Brown]

Looks like I can JUST see a grove in there, but that's definitely too deep!

I thought that was a groove too but I stuck a pic in it and it's just how the grease is laying. I stuck the pic back in there and couldn't find anything resembling a groove.

 

[steve340]

Did you install the cross member the wrong way around?
Are the groove clips now at the wrong end?

 

[dadsbee]

Did you install the cross member the wrong way around?

Impossible..

 

[steve340]

Ok I see, it looks like the replacement parts is not 100% right.

 

[Royce Brown]

Did you install the cross member the wrong way around?
Are the groove clips now at the wrong end?

Nah, that piece that sticks out is only on the back. The front is just long enough for the dust boot to slip on. I think it's because I decided to save money and not buy the more expensive AMD cross member.

 

[steve340]

As you say it is correctly installed Dadsbee pointed that out to me.
It would be pretty easy to make up a little cap system to hold the torsion bar in.
Or you could just drill through behind the torsion bar and use a high tensile bolt with a nylock nut.
Trying to grind in a groove would be pretty difficult.

 

[Royce Brown]

As you say it is correctly installed Dadsbee pointed that out to me.
It would be pretty easy to make up a little cap system to hold the torsion bar in.
Or you could just drill through behind the torsion bar and use a high tensile bolt with a nylock nut.
Trying to grind in a groove would be pretty difficult.

I certainly have a few options.

1. Cap system
2. Drill through and use a bolt
3. Tack welds
4. Create groove with Dremel cut off wheel

1. The cap system might be pretty easy and I could just tack weld it on from the outside. It would not be difficult to remove. Pretty good option.

2. Drilling through would work but that is some thick metal. Would not be fun.

3. Tack welds inside the groove would be the easiest to do but most difficult to remove.

4. The Dremel metal cutoff wheel is what I was leaning towards. If the wheel fits in there then it shouldn't be too difficult.

 

[69L48Z27]

I vote #4.

 

[steve340]

If you set it up and have a steady hand, the right shape and size stone I am sure it is possible to grind in a groove.
As you said I would not do option 3.
Good luck.

 

[Builderguy]

Yes to #4 with, as stated earlier, the right right thickness of stone. If the wheel is a little to big to fit the hole, just run the wheel on some hard metal to wear it down thus making it smaller in diameter.

 

[Royce Brown]

Yes to #4 with, as stated earlier, the right right thickness of stone. If the wheel is a little to big to fit the hole, just run the wheel on some hard metal to wear it down thus making it smaller in diameter.

Good tip. I actually have a bunch of smaller wheels that were too small for other purposes.

 

[69b3rt]

Dremel tools have a small cut off wheel that will grind the groove you need.