Removing Torsion Bar

[PappyJP]

I am new to the site and looking for advice... I am prepaing to remove the k frame from my Cuda and have supported the car on jack stands.  Since the car has not been touched in probably 25 years, every nut and bolt has been sprayed with wd40 and allowed to soak.  After which I figured I would back off the tension on the torsion bars and then start removing everything needed to drop out the frame. 

Unfortunately as soon as a put a wrench on the adjustment bolt - SNAP!  The bolt broke clean off.  Now I am not sure how much tension is left in the torsion bar (the LCA is not supported and at its lowest position) and a bit nervous to keep going.  Any suggestions on how I can safely remove the torsion bars and the rest of the k frame would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

[Super Blue 72]

HI Pappy,

I'm not much help to you as I've never played with my torsion bars but I'm sure someone will chime in.

If the bolt broke off, did you unbolt it partly then it snapped?  If it didn't budge, you should still have the same tension, if it did move, I dunno, depends how far you turned it out.

They do sell new bolts and the adjuster that it goes through.  Hope it all works out!

[PappyJP]

It didn't move at all... Except to break

I guess I should not be surprised as I had 2 wheel studs on that same side that broke off.  The car has been neglected for a long time.  I just don't want to risk injury because the t bar is still wound up.

[ChallengerHK]

Don't want to be a smartass, but for future reference, WD-40 is not penetrating oil. It's made to keep water out of parts (Water Displacement Formula Forty). It'll work OK as long as parts aren't really stuck, but for really stuck you need some penetrating oil.

[Super Blue 72]

I know you mentioned that the car was on jack stand but were the lower control arms all the way down (not supported by the jack stands), with no/minimal load on them?  That way you aren't fighting against the torsion bars when you back off the adjusters.

[PappyJP]

Thanks HK - Lesson learned the hard way...

The lower control arms are completely down and unsupported.  I might be able to weld a nut to the broken adjuster (there is probably half an inch sticking down) and after soaking it with penetrating oil, try backing it off again.

[Chryco Psycho]

just the heat of welding a nut to it should loosen it , you could also blow the end of the adjuster bolt off with a torch , it is going to have to be replaced anyway

[PappyJP]

 I ended up cutting the adjuster bolt and that did the trick.  Was able to get the k frame dropped as well.  I appreciate the help.

[Chryco Psycho]