Cranking torsion bars sucks!

[Red]

The previous owner of my 4Runner had the truck lifted by adding OME rear lift springs and cranking the torsion bars in the front.

It's no good at all. I get some pretty bad sounds from my suspension when I go over bumps while turning and so far nothing has broken but I've read that doing this is really hard on your CV shafts and probably most of your other suspension parts.
I think the shocks over extend too. Also I think the steering dynamics are off a bit but I wont really be able to tell that until I get my OME suspension kit to replace whats on there now.

Anyways, this thread is intended as a warning to those of you considering cranking the Torsion bars.

I also have a question for the more knowledgable 4runner owners. Since I dont like the way the front of my truck is lifted and it has lift springs in the back. Am I able to adjust the torsion bars to stock and leave the lift springs in the back? until I can afford the OME suspension kit or will I put stress on parts of the truck?

Thanks in advance.

 

[imike420]

I'm not sure if it's the same problem, but I get a noise when I go over a bump such as a driveway while turning, and again when I straighten out. I'm not sure how far the torsion bar is cranked but it seems loose. (I can move it side to side about two inches easily.) If you have any suggestions for correcting the problem, please let me know. Thanks!

P.S. sorry if I changed the subject!

 

[zombie]

Put some grease on your steering stops, the plastic covers that were on there when it was new have probably broken off and that is where you get the sounds from. You might both have the same problem. It sounds terrible when you hear it but a dab of grease once and a while fixes it.

 

[Red]

Put some grease on your steering stops, the plastic covers that were on there when it was new have probably broken off and that is where you get the sounds from. You might both have the same problem. It sounds terrible when you hear it but a dab of grease once and a while fixes it.

I'll give that a try, I only hear the sound when im going over large bumps off road and while turning, I'll have to investigate it a bit more and see if I can narrow it down.

Thanks for the tip

 

[Yota Buck]

I "uncranked" my torsion bars. The P.O. had them jacked up about 2". All I can say is it drives a lot better now, and it does'nt beat me up as much. Your cv shafts should last longer too.
The rear sits level now with the Moog Coils and Air Shocks when towing.

Peace,
Yota Buck

 

[Red]

I "uncranked" my torsion bars. The P.O. had them jacked up about 2". All I can say is it drives a lot better now, and it does'nt beat me up as much. Your cv shafts should last longer too.
The rear sits level now with the Moog Coils and Air Shocks when towing.

Peace,
Yota Buck

I want to uncrank mine too. It'll probably look kinda funny with the rear still raised a couple inches but at least the CV's wont wear and it'll drive nicer.

Are there any problems with uncranking them and still having the rear raised a couple inches?

 

[Yota Buck]

I want to uncrank mine too. It'll probably look kinda funny with the rear still raised a couple inches but at least the CV's wont wear and it'll drive nicer.

Are there any problems with uncranking them and still having the rear raised a couple inches?

It should not be any problems if you lower the front and leave the rear high. You may have to adjust your headlights.
A local shop lowered my front for $60 and that included a front end alignment.
Good luck,
Yota Buck

 

[foskco87]

I am thinking of getting some OME coils 1.5" in the back of my runner. Being as you all are saying not to crank the torsion bars, what would be the best way to raise the front? I want to raise the rear more than the front to level it a bit. Also, does anyone know a coil that would just give me an inch of lift so I dont have to raise the front?? I defenitely agree about the torsion bars though, too much stress, especially if you are offroading. CVs are just too fragile.

 

[K_Labs]

You also might want to check out your idler arm bushings Just kick the tires, literally, and see if you hear a clanking sound. Those bushings blow up after a few years of abuse. Here's a pic of mine when it was messed up. It only costs you about 5 bucks for both bushings and another 5 for grease.

 

[losinstinks]

Put some grease on your steering stops, the plastic covers that were on there when it was new have probably broken off and that is where you get the sounds from. You might both have the same problem. It sounds terrible when you hear it but a dab of grease once and a while fixes it.

DITTO: I had a terrible banging noise coming from the front end while making sharp turns. After greasing up the stops the noise went away. Very simple fix. I doubt that will help with noises due to over cranking the torsion bars though.

Not sure if this is an option you considered. To save on CV wear and tear, you could switch over to manual hub locking: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=r...r33fP8qQaM-bzXi9A&sig2=HG3-Nr-K9VtxyA8NI69vHA Though, it does makes perfect sense that folks like the convenience of being able to switch to and from 4wd w/o leaving the comfort of their front seat.

 

[imike420]

Thanks, K_Labs, That's exactly what my idler arm bushing looks like. Is there much to changing that bushing, or is it as simple as it looks to take off that cotter pin and nut and pull the piece commected to it down slap a bushing on and some grease and put it back together? Also can I use hi-temp wheel bearing grease or should I buy something else? Thanks for your help!

----Mike

 

[rustyrazor]

Cranking the torsion bars changes the alignment

When I bought my 4runner the torsion bars were cranked. I also noticed that the outside edges of the front tires were wearing out. This is caused by positive camber. If you look at the front tire from in front of a car with positive camber the top of the tire sticks out.

When the torsion bars were cranked it also changed the camber. I uncranked the torsion bars and it got rid of the positive camber.

I used to have a Ford ranger with really worn out front coil springs and it had negative camber. subsequently it would wear out the inside edge of the tires faster.

When I uncranked my 4runner the ride as well as handling in corners improved greatly.

 

[Red]

I think I will uncrank mine then

I've never done anything like that before, is it pretty straight forward? If someone could post a pic or two and a short description of what I'd have to do to uncrank the torsion bars, that would be cool.

 

[Red]

I am thinking of getting some OME coils 1.5" in the back of my runner. Being as you all are saying not to crank the torsion bars, what would be the best way to raise the front? I want to raise the rear more than the front to level it a bit. Also, does anyone know a coil that would just give me an inch of lift so I dont have to raise the front?? I defenitely agree about the torsion bars though, too much stress, especially if you are offroading. CVs are just too fragile.

\

Fosko, any replacement rear spring you buy will level the 4Runner out, Im pretty sure. Its not that the rear spring is too short that it sags its because the factory springs werent designed properly I believe.

if you wanted a slight lift in the front and back though, I'd suggest looking into a kit that has ball joint spacers for the front and lift springs in the back, as well as shocks front and back.

www.TRDparts4U.com has kits like that