I think I messed up my Torsion Bars

[spammer]

Yesterday I replaced a lower control arm on my 2004 LX470. It was a beat of a job for the noob. Had no idea what I was doing, but I got the job done after about 4 hours!

One thing I didn't understand was that I had to loosen the torsion bar to get the last two bolts off the control arm. I hooked up everything and then remembered the torsion bar needed to be bolted back in. I tightened it up, but the bolt sits at an angle on the side I worked on, while the other side is flush and level.

What happens if I drive the vehicle like this? How are you supposed to set the torsion bar to the right angle?

 

[duggy]

It sounds like you need to properly re-index that one side.

 

[Sandroad]

FYI, the torsion bar bolts on mine are at very different angles too, and they have never been messed with. I noticed that recently and wondered about it. If the bolts are supposed to be the same, we both have work to do. If not, we're good.

 

[varythings]

If your adjustment bolts are wildly different then your tbars are probably indexed differently. I don't think the spring rate is linear versus the pre-tension. You'd be best to re-index and get them similarly pre-loaded.

 

[SALTY METHODS]

I have the same thing going on with my truck. I think it's the reason why I can't get my alignment to track straight even after taking it to a couple of alignment shops.

 

[badlander]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think the position (angle) of the rear anchor arms/bolts matters at all. That end of the torsion bar does not move. It's "anchored". And the minor rear end movement of the torsion bar during adjustment rotation is negligible at that distance from the A-arm. As long as you can get the ride height you want (both sides even), you're good. I would just make sure the ends of the anchor arms or bolt heads are NOT hanging down below the chassis where they could hang up on something.

 

[varythings]

The torque of the tbar is not linear to the angle (it's a degressive spring rate). Meaning, (I think) that you can obtain equal height side to side in static condition, but will have unequal spring rates in up and down travel of the IFS.