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Replacing torsion bar support mounts on 2nd generation 4x4’s

1.1K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  AshronMarie81  
#1 ·
The bushings on the links that hang the torsion bar support from the frame dry out and crack with age. This can cause a clunk-clunk-clunk when going over bumps and rough roads. It can sometimes feel like something hitting the cab underneath the seats.

Here is what mine looked like after 21+ years on my 2003 ZR2.

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Repair is straight forward. I ordered Moog replacements for both driver and passenger side. (Same part number for both - K700356. The torsion bar support hangs between the frame under the front seats, basically like a cross member.

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A couple days before you plan to remove the old links, spray liberally with penetrant - I used PB Blaster. I repeated this daily for a couple days while I waited for the parts to arrive in the mail.

Raise the front of the truck and safely support it. Do one side at a time. You do not need to relieve tension on the torsion bars to do this repair. Simply remove the nut and washer from the bottom of the mounting link (19mm) and pull off the old bushing. Next use a deep 17mm socket and go through the hole on the outside of the frame to access the bolt that holds the mounting link to the frame. The bolt goes through the eye on top of the mounting link, and on the nut use a back up wrench to keep it from spinning. Remove the bolt - be careful not to drop it into the frame.

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The support bar will drop down about an inch and you can easily pull the link from above to remove it and the top bushing and washer. Next install the new top bushing with the collar facing the hole in the support bar, and slide the threaded link with the washer installed down through the bushing and the support. Now slip the lower bushing over the threaded portion of the link, being sure the collar on the bushing points up towards the hole in the support bar and the flat part on the side of the bushing faces the inner surface of the trucks frame. Slip the washer and nut on and tighten them securely. This sandwiches the torsion bar support member between the rubber bushings.

Now you may need to use a jack and or a pry bar to lift the support bar slightly, so the eye at the top of the new links lines up with the hole in the frame. Once aligned you can slip the bolt through the hole in the frame, and through the eye of the new link, and put the washer and nut on. Once you have them lined up proceed to tighten them securely, and lower the vehicle.

The repair is completed, test drive and double check everything is tight. Hope this is helpful to someone on the forum.

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