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How often do you have to readjust torsion bars?

Vdawg1115

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So a little over a year ago my H3 was at 23.6 hub to fender. Since then I have added an ARB bullbar and winch (synthetic), I kinda just left it as is for over a year now. Recently just decided to measure my hub to fender and I am at 22". I know the weight of the bumper and winch must have took it down some, but is this something I will have to readjust periodically? Just wondering
 

amrg

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Probably once a year.
Remember, a torsion bar is just like a leaf spring, with weight on it and continous loading/unloading, it will sag over time. Coil springs sag too.
 

Vdawg1115

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Probably once a year.
Remember, a torsion bar is just like a leaf spring, with weight on it and continous loading/unloading, it will sag over time. Coil springs sag too.


Once a year ain't bad. I can do that. I am assuming eventually the torsion bars would wear out?
 

amrg

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It will eventually. The 2006 I5 has 100K miles and it sagged like 1/2" since I adjusted it 3 years ago
The 2009 Alpha has 100K miles too and it sagged 1" in 2 years dispite having stronger torsion bars, this is my primary offroad vehicle so I guess the offroading took its toll.
 

Vdawg1115

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It will eventually. The 2006 I5 has 100K miles and it sagged like 1/2" since I adjusted it 3 years ago
The 2009 Alpha has 100K miles too and it sagged 1" in 2 years dispite having stronger torsion bars, this is my primary offroad vehicle so I guess the offroading took its toll.


Yeah, mine has had a good year of wheeling behind it. Doesn't look like the previous owner ever wheeled it, especially since it had 20" chrome wheels when I first got it, and no UCP. I guess if we're readjusting every year then eventually the torsion bar would simply reach a limit from the sound of it
 

Peep

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Belize
:HOLY::HOLY: What!!!! once a year.....really???????? How does it effect the alignment?
 

amrg

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Get an alignment afterwards!
Some ppl recommend an alignment every 10K miles so I guess once a year aint bad.

But technically yes, eventually the torsion bars will be too saggy and even if you adjust them to the proper ride height, the ride itself will be too bouncy
 

alrock

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It's also possible to have them wear out and not hold, i.e. if you adjust and have to readjust within days or weeks. I've replaced mine once (or twice).
 

cbetts

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With the substantial amount of weight you have added to the front, might want to think about a set of Alpha torsion bars. I really like running them on mine with the winch and THORparts bumper.


Sent from my Pokemon Go appliance using Tapatalk
 

chaos254

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I did mine about a year ago and I noticed they were back down on the bump stops without adding any additional weight. I probably will try it again and if it does not hold then replace with alpha torsion bars.
 
Last edited:

Vdawg1115

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With the substantial amount of weight you have added to the front, might want to think about a set of Alpha torsion bars. I really like running them on mine with the winch and THORparts bumper.


Sent from my Pokemon Go appliance using Tapatalk


mine is an Alpha. Maybe the Old Man Emu torsion bars can take it, since it was designed to work with that heavy bumper anyways
 

alrock

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Bebe had custom ones made, or at least ones from another manufacturer. JR3T snagged those from her when she upgraded.
 

rsc

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There should be no need to do an alignment if you change torsion bars and/or crank them back up to where they were the last time they were aligned. However, the suspension may have moved with that many miles so it would be a good idea, but not mandatory like the first time you cranked the t-bars.
 

Vdawg1115

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Oakland, CA
This thought just popped in my head, if the bumpstops are resting on the LCA, wouldn't that help? I am assuming the tbars would need adjusting more often if there is a gap between bumpstops and LCA?
 

amrg

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Yes they help. The oem bump stops act as progressive springs where part of it is softer than the other to give a soft cushion at minor compressions and a hard cushion at the big stuff. So basically They carry part of the load when used.
The trail duty extended stops are just one rate, Hard.
But anyway, they only act in the loading part, when you are unloading (accelerating) they are not involved.
 
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