hi folks
I have a problem and need some help/advice
Some background first.
I have a 1999 Lexus LX470, with AHC suspension (Automatic Height Control)
Since the globes are shot and I put a lot more weight on it (bumpers, RR, winch) the AHC was slowing crying for retirement.
I bought an OME lift kit, springs, shocks and torsion bars and was planning on doing the swap myself.
I do most of the wrenching myself, but lately every time I touch something end up breaking something else, subtlety is not on my dictionary. Not to mention dealing with the rusted, seized parts, bolts and nuts.
So I started looking for quotes to take it to a shop to do the swap.
To my surprise, 4WheelParts, the new shop in Naperville, gave me a very good deal, fixed price no matter what and including alignment. They said that they will do it in one day.
I took it there on wednesday morning, wednesday around 5pm anxiously called the shop to see if it was ready and that's when I got the bad news.
They couldn't take the old torsion bars off the truck, they are seized with rust. At first I was glad that I didn't have to deal with the rust and was happy with my decision until thursday that I called again to check on the progress and they came back saying that will have to order new parts, torsion bar keys and torque arms, because they couldn't take them apart.
These parts are not something that the dealers or auto parts shops carry in stock, so we were looking at 3 to 4 days for the torsion bar keys and 4 to 5 weeks for the torque arms since there is no stock in USA and need to come from Europe. Not to mention around $500 in parts.
So I showed up there with a very angry face, looked at it and told them to replace the springs and shocks and leave the old torsion bars until I can figure out what to do. The truck is also my daily driver and I need it.
The OEM torsion bars are not designed to support the whole weight of the truck, they are there just to help the hydraulic shocks.
So here's my dilemma.
I'm 75% sure that I can separate those parts if I can take the torsion bar out of the truck and work in a bench, but in order to do that I'll have to cut the torsion bars. Once I cut the torsion bars, there no going back, and if I can't separate those parts I'll have my truck on jack stands for several weeks in my driveway.
The other option is order those parts on eBay, I found them in Saudi Arabia, and replace them altogether, which will put me back another few hundred dollars.
So, what do you guys think? Should I go for it or buy the new parts?
In the case that I cut the torsion bars and then can't take the parts out, could I get some help from you guys? Anybody with power tools, hydraulic press?
I have a problem and need some help/advice
Some background first.
I have a 1999 Lexus LX470, with AHC suspension (Automatic Height Control)
Since the globes are shot and I put a lot more weight on it (bumpers, RR, winch) the AHC was slowing crying for retirement.
I bought an OME lift kit, springs, shocks and torsion bars and was planning on doing the swap myself.
I do most of the wrenching myself, but lately every time I touch something end up breaking something else, subtlety is not on my dictionary. Not to mention dealing with the rusted, seized parts, bolts and nuts.
So I started looking for quotes to take it to a shop to do the swap.
To my surprise, 4WheelParts, the new shop in Naperville, gave me a very good deal, fixed price no matter what and including alignment. They said that they will do it in one day.
I took it there on wednesday morning, wednesday around 5pm anxiously called the shop to see if it was ready and that's when I got the bad news.
They couldn't take the old torsion bars off the truck, they are seized with rust. At first I was glad that I didn't have to deal with the rust and was happy with my decision until thursday that I called again to check on the progress and they came back saying that will have to order new parts, torsion bar keys and torque arms, because they couldn't take them apart.
These parts are not something that the dealers or auto parts shops carry in stock, so we were looking at 3 to 4 days for the torsion bar keys and 4 to 5 weeks for the torque arms since there is no stock in USA and need to come from Europe. Not to mention around $500 in parts.
So I showed up there with a very angry face, looked at it and told them to replace the springs and shocks and leave the old torsion bars until I can figure out what to do. The truck is also my daily driver and I need it.
The OEM torsion bars are not designed to support the whole weight of the truck, they are there just to help the hydraulic shocks.
So here's my dilemma.
I'm 75% sure that I can separate those parts if I can take the torsion bar out of the truck and work in a bench, but in order to do that I'll have to cut the torsion bars. Once I cut the torsion bars, there no going back, and if I can't separate those parts I'll have my truck on jack stands for several weeks in my driveway.
The other option is order those parts on eBay, I found them in Saudi Arabia, and replace them altogether, which will put me back another few hundred dollars.
So, what do you guys think? Should I go for it or buy the new parts?
In the case that I cut the torsion bars and then can't take the parts out, could I get some help from you guys? Anybody with power tools, hydraulic press?
