Stiff bolts on torsion bar adjusters

BrucePerens · 08-24-2015, 06:52 PM

Hi Folks,

My front torsion adjusters have really stiff bolts. The others are OK and there seems to be lots of range to tighten all of the bars. I've been working one of the stiff bolts back and forth for at least an hour and a half today, with much lubrication, and it's not done.

Is it possible to back these bolts all of the way out, and replace them? Or will something bad happen if I try?

There are pipe clamps and washers on both sides of the adjuster, which I guess are to keep the bar in place.

Thanks

Bruce

Padgett · 08-24-2015, 07:03 PM

Do they seem corroded ? All of mine are under tension but not hard to move with an 18" ball wrench.

They can only be adjusted with the modules raised fully.

BrucePerens · 08-24-2015, 07:14 PM

Hi Padgett,

The front ones seem to be a dark brown color, while I can still see some zinc on the middle and rear ones. At first they didn't rotate more than 1/4 turn with that 18" ball wrench. I did a lot of the back-and-forth like tapping a thread, spraying WD-40 as I went, and got one bolt to go to the end of the range in the "out" direction, without removing it. There was enough friction that the bolt got warm while I did this. Now, the choice is to get it to come out and replace it, or to turn it in until I clean off the threads in that direction too.

So, has anyone out there replaced these bolts? I am not 100% sure whether there is something permanently attached to the inside part of the bolt, or if whatever is between the end of the bolt and the torsion bar is just pressed on to the end of the bolt.

Padgett · 08-24-2015, 09:25 PM

Mine just seem to be a uniform gray.

**Bill** · 08-25-2015, 06:18 AM

Bruce -

I think you can simply pull the bolts out and replace them. Use galvanized bolts for the replacements.

It is a little late, I know, but did you happen to count the turns as you removed the bolts, so you can screw each one back to its original position? There are four torsion bars on each shell, meaning four bolts on each shell. Since they all interact, re-balancing the amount and the direction of lift from a new start can be tricky.

Bill

Redtail Cruiser · 08-25-2015, 06:48 AM

+1 Bill, when my front shell was getting harder to lift recently, I tightened the four torsion bolts by only one quarter turn each and was surprised at the change in the lift pressure it took to open it; as well as the increased effort it took to close the shell. I ended up adding another quarter turn to each bolt to get the balance just right for my rig.

Padgett · 08-25-2015, 08:50 AM

For me the best balance seems to be at 20-30lbs lift required to open. This is "one hand capable" and still easy to close with foot in stirrup.

I used PB blaster initially on mine & was all they needed.

ka9nyn · 08-27-2015, 02:48 AM

Additionally, the torsion bars can be different diameters. I had 3 replaced on my 2001 2720 a week ago, and they were 9/16, 3/4 and 7/8 diameters, depending on where they were located. Shells now move evenly and with minimal effort, up and down.

I'm glad I had the factory do it.

Padgett · 08-27-2015, 08:11 AM

At the factory a week ago ? How is everything ? No news about the problems in over a month.

ka9nyn · 08-27-2015, 10:13 PM

Yup. Dropped trailer off 8/13, picked up 8/24 (needed to order the torsion rods). They seemed pretty busy, several units were under construction and moving down the line. Bob was friendly and outgoing.

Folks in the shop area were really friendly and upbeat.

Guess that's pretty much it.