Need Help Torsion Bars reset from local Astro/Safari Master

[webrunner]

Before I start please let me say that I am not physically able to do heavy physical work on our 2000 Chevy Astro. Light stuff is not so bad. Plus I just am not set up with the tools and lifts/jacks to do the torsion bar reset. So please, those of you that have a propensity to tell others that the work is not hard to do, try to refrain from responding. I am looking for someone that has a Chevy Astro or GMC Safari that understands the AWD torsion bar set up and 'knows' xactly what needs to be done. I am willing to pay a fair amount to have the work done but understand that the wife & I are both living on a structured amount of money per month due to our age and Social Security benefits. We have gone the treacherous route of allowing so called 'mechanics' off of Craigslist to do work and we do not want to go that route again.

If you live in the Central Florida area and have lots of experience working on GM torsion bars suspensions please contact me privately so we can perhaps get our front end reset to normal ride height. I can give you more information about the reason I need the work done when you contact me. Thank you astro safari dot com for this venue and hopefully I have posted my post in the right category. Please forgive if it needs to be in another.

PS I have pics of before ride height and current ride height after work was done by Craigslist mechanic.

[ADDvanced]

I'm not sure how far off it is, but the front suspension is super easy to adjust. There are two bolts that set the height in front, and they're super easy to get to. They're located in the crossmember, facing downwards, at the end of the torsion bars. All you do is tighten them to raise the van, or loosen them to lower the van. Just use a half inch ratchet/socket. I think they were 16mm? Again, I know you said don't do the work yourself, but this is super super super easy. Like less than 5 minutes easy.

[WinnieVan]

After you mess with your ride height, you should really get an alignment.

So -- I'd call an alignment shop, have them set the ride height for you and then do an alignment, all in the same appointment. Adjusting the ride height is really as simple as turning some bolts on the transmission cross-member... so it shouldn't even cost extra on top of the alignment, in my opinion.

I'm assuming if the craigslist mechanic had to mess with your torsion bars -- you were likely doing front end work -- and thus you probably need an alignment anyways.

Ain't worth cupping your tires over this one -- take it to a shop who can straighten you out with a computerized alignment -- just insist they level your ride height before they put it on the rack.

Also make sure your tires are properly inflated before you head in -- you'd be surprised what a difference it can make when doing alignments and not every tech is going to take the time to make sure all your tires are aired up properly before doing the alignment.

[webrunner]

Thanks Winnie for the reply. I fully intended on getting the alignment done after the torsion bar reset but never thought to ask Alignment shop to figure in the cost of resetting the T\Bars in with the alignment. I'll do that today.

[webrunner]

Thanks for the reply ADDvanced but as I stated in my post I can not physically
get up and down easily like most younger people can. Plus, I don't have the tools
or jacks or lifts. You do realize the to do this job correctly both front wheels/tires
should be off of the ground with no load on the them (suspended). The torsion bar
keys must be unlocked hence that is why they make torsion bar key unlocking tools.
That enables the torsion bars to be freed up to be reset back to original specs.
I want the job done right and correctly. Not a rush job in 5 minutes. That is where
this problem started with a Craigslist 'mechanic' that didn't want to do the job
correctly in the first place.

[ADDvanced]

That's not how I did mine. I just jacked them all the way up with the front wheels in the air, then put the vehicle on the ground. You can then just reach under and lower it by loosening those two bolts.

[WinnieVan]

Yea you can adjust the t-bars without unloading them -- that's just not how the book says to do it!

Anyways -- the alignment guys should be able to dial you in!

[97cargocrawler]

Why would anyone recommend getting under an unsupported van to mess with torsion bars? If one of these bars or keys broke the poor guy would get crushed to death.

[Mmusicman]

I crawl under my van all the time.
I'm pretty sure my torsion bars are not suddenly going to break.

[webrunner]

I believe 97cargocrawler's operative term was 'unsupported van' and was enough to explain their point. As to the torsion bars 'suddenly breaking' I personally have read too many accounts of people just backing out of their driveways or similar and having the torsion bars snap on them. So that being said, it would be a rare occurrence for sure but I for one would not want to be messing around underneath the van without it being on stands or jacks at the very least.

[WinnieVan]

It is a fair point. I usually throw some jack stands under the subframe when I adjust my torsion bars.

[97cargocrawler]

Torsion bars are not always fully inserted into the keys. They can pop out, especially when you start relieving pressure and things creep a bit. That can happen by hitting a bump in the road or turning the adjusting bolt. You just never know. Do you look down the barrel of a gun to see if there's a bullet chambered? I suppose you might be ignorant of the danger until you experience it. I hit a bump, the bar ripped out of the key because it was only barely inserted and my truck dropped about a foot going 40mph. I had no idea the bar was barely hanging on inside the key.

I had a great time reinstalling the bar on the side of the highway though.

You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?'

Well, do you, punk?

[AstroWill]

If it's going to drop, most likely it's going to be when driving or when adjusting, put some jack stands under there to be safe.