IML: A-arm Bushings and Torsion Bar Adjustment

[Joe Strickland <jwstrick426@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Rob;

Before you begin adjusting your torsion bars, see if you can clean the 
threads of the adjusting bolts with some brake cleaner or perhaps 
kerosene to get as much dirt etc. off of the threads as possible.  Use 
of an old toothbrush or something similar might help.  Then use a 
liberal application of penetrating oil on the adjusting bolts and levers 
and let them soak for a day or so before trying to make the adjustments. 
 You might want to re-apply the penetrating oil to the bolts more than 
one time.  It may be a real problem if you stripped threads on the bolts 
and/or the adjusting arm of the torsion bars.  You might be able to find 
replacements, but there could be a long time to find replacements.

Be sure to examine the A-arm bushings for missing chunks or completely 
gone bushings.  As I mentioned before when these bushings disintegrate 
and fall out it allows the associated metal parts of the A-arms and 
steering elements to shift position enough that the steering parts 
(especially the idler arm and the steering pitman arm) to shift position 
and get in quite a bind while steering the car.  You certainly don't 
want to wind up with a broken idler arm stud or pitman arm stud while 
driving down the road!  Complete loss of control might result, with a 
crash into another car or into a pedestrian or bicycle rider.

Joe S.


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