Torsion Bar 101 Questions

[ebod]

I have an 04 LC. It had a pretty drastic stinkbug stance, so I had the torsion bars cranked to level it out a bit (still some slant). I believe that all the mechanic did was crank the bars (and an alignment) and that he did NOT re-index the torsion bars.

My LC currently looks good (right stance) and drives well (on the street and fire roads, I don't drive it on anything harsher). I've also had subsequent alignments with no issues.

My questions are: What exactly does re-indexing the torsion bars do (I know it affects/increases down travel)? Should I get my torsion bars re-indexed and re-cranked (and an alignment) even though I'm not noticing any ride issues? Does re-indexing and cranking change the CV angles less than just cranking (i.e., would I be less likely to need a diff drop if I do both instead of crank only)?

Last, but not least, would you expect re-indexing and re-cranking to reduce some of the misc. noises that I sometimes experience and that seem to be coming from my front suspension (some pops and/or clank-type noises I get from time-to-time)?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[petrotk40]

the adjustment bolts only have so many threads on them. you want to leave a few thread below the adjustment bar thingy. In order to fix this, you re-index the bars so that when you have the desired height you are more in the middle of the bolt. There's a picture somewhere on here that would help immensely.

 

[montanacruiser161]

Not sure if this helps but there is a great deal of info on this in Amys Build thread. Hope this helps!

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series...-build-repair-thread-lc100-xvr-pic-heavy.html

 

[petrotk40]

specific post

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series...thread-lc100-xvr-pic-heavy-3.html#post6705740

 

[montanacruiser161]

specific post

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series...thread-lc100-xvr-pic-heavy-3.html#post6705740

MMMM... believe it starts on page three of the build post #55, is this what you are looking for?

 

[spressomon]

As a place to start regarding your new clunks/noises: Check all the front sway bar bushings. More than likely its time for a refresh on all.

 

[petrotk40]

MMMM... believe it starts on page three of the build post #55, is this what you are looking for?

the link doesn't say so, but it's to that exact post, #55 I was making a statement, not asking a question

 

[ebod]

Wow, that post #55 was very informative. Seems that, so long as I have some droop (55mm I believe), there's no need to re-index.

I wouldn't be able to re-index myself. I may be able to measure, jack up and measure again to test the droop.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Liam]

Wow, that post #55 was very informative. Seems that, so long as I have some droop (55mm I believe), there's no need to re-index.

I wouldn't be able to re-index myself. I may be able to measure, jack up and measure again to test the droop.

Thanks for the info.

dude, reindexing your T-Bars is a cake walk. i think Liam wrote a play by play on how to do it.

 

[Gottagetone]

Yep, reindex is pretty easy especially if you have an impact wrench. And Spresso is correct, check your sway bar bushings and check where the sway bar could be hitting the lower control arms. Thats what happened to me after the reindex, I replaced the bushings and shocks, all better now.

 

[petrotk40]

I always thought 75mm of droop is necessary?

EDIT: here is Gunney's specific thread with more detail
https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/491948-those-torsion-bar-questions.html

 

[Gottagetone]

You can still get 2+" of droop with a reindex. When I added my bumper with winch, my t-bars were maxed out. I reindexed them and have plenty of room to go up if I want but still have 2" droop.

 

[petrotk40]

You can still get 2+" of droop with a reindex. When I added my bumper with winch, my t-bars were maxed out. I reindexed them and have plenty of room to go up if I want but still have 2" droop.

Right, I remember reading older threads that 75mm/2.75" of droop was necessary. Is that incorrect?

 

[pfran42]

I seem to recall it being 60mm. I'll see if I can dig up where I found it.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series...ders-tc-ucas-radflo-shocks-2.html#post6959652

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/164197-shocks-replacement.html#post2315213

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/227694-stink-bug-after-ome-heavy-lift.html#post3425495

Looks like Dan made this recommendation. Not sure where he got it from but I can assure you that it was well-researched.

Here is one more:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/524025-front-torsion-bar-crank.html#post7013579

 

[petrotk40]

maybe I had it backwards, that 2.75" was the max lift that was recommended? Thanks for the research pfran

 

[4Peanut]

I seem to recall it being 60mm.

Looks like Dan made this recommendation. https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/227694-stink-bug-after-ome-heavy-lift.html#post3425495 Not sure where he got it from but I can assure you that it was well-researched.

60mm is also the number referenced during a phone call I had with Christo Slee recently. So there's that.

If you don't own a tape measure that measures in centimeters/millimeters (like me), 60mm = 2.362 inches = approximately 2-23/64 inches which is pretty darn close to 2-3/8 inches. YMMV.

 

[Mxndrnks]

60mm is the min. number. More is always better.

While higher looks cool, if you can learn to live 20.5" from center of hub to edge of fender... you will probably find the best ride quality. I have been up to 22" and a bunch of others in between. Spresso recommended 20.5" and it does feel pretty darn good!

 

[Chris Sandstorm FJ]

Thanks you guys, getting ready to install my lift and you just assembled all the research for me...

I owe you all a beer! If you end up coming to Cruise Moab or the 100 series run, you can find me and I will pay up!

 

[Chris Sandstorm FJ]

Well lift is all done but I must have really messed up with the torsion bars. Going to redo them tomorrow. What a royal pain they are.

 

[Chris Sandstorm FJ]

Figured it out with Robbie's help on the phone, Rookie mistake, on my part...