Torsion Bar Tools - Any Experience?

[ChallengerHK]

The last time I pulled my torsion bars (20+ years ago) one almost fell out, the other I had to pound on for a couple of hours.  I've been looking at the torsion bar removal tools and I've noticed that there are two styles (at least).  Anybody have any experience with these?

http://www.magnumhp.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=57_59&products_id=216

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=010&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=200100022785&rd=1

[Mike71Cuda]

Ted Wagner wrote an article for High Performance Mopar on home made tools a few years back. I will see if I can get you a copy. It costs about $10 plus your labor to make it (unless you don't have access to these tools).
I used it and have found nothing better
Smitty

[ChallengerHK]

Thanks, Mike.

[EvilTwinATX]

try knocking the torsion bar back a little to "loosen it up" first by tapping the lower control arm thru-pin from the front. you have to loosen up everything first and separate the upper ball joint,etc.. but you are going to have to do that anyway to take em out. Make sure you dont damage the threaded end of the LCA bolt! I loosened the nut all the way to the top so I had a nice flat surface to "tap" without damaging the threads.

I was able to wrestle mine after I did this... I am not sure I am explaining it well enough though.

[Chryco Psycho]

I have never used a T bar tool , I have just loosened the nut on the LCA pivot  & pryed the lca back to get the  bars out as mentioned above

[ChallengerHK]

Good to know; save me some money.  Thanks, guys.

[cudazappa]

I made something very similar to the ebay tool out of scrap aluminum in about 30 min using a band saw and a drill press.

worked great when I pulled the bars out of my 300.  I did have to loosen the LCAs a little anyways.

I'm planning on re-using them on my challenger when it gets here.

[ChallengerHK]

Is there anything that keeps these tools from marring the torsion bar?

[cudazappa]

doesn't look it.  If they aren't tightened all the way... steel against steel...  E-berg made his out of Aluminum, which won't cut into the steel.

[Chryco Psycho]

generally the V grooves in the blocks that bolt around the bar spred the pressure so as not to mark the bars