So I call the dealership and ask a tech guy about adjusting the torsion bars on a 2004 2500HD, he says make sure the front end is jacked up and just tighten the torsion bar adjusting bolts until it is level and of course, I ask him if it's ok if I do it myself... he says yes... so I go about adjusting the torsion bars (and enter hell on earth)... I adjust them and get the truck looking good, now it sits level (not nose down) then I am underneath it checking to make sure everything is ok before I go out and drive it and the left slide slams down (not on me or I wouldn't be here typing this) and I look at the left side torsion bar bolt... the threads are completely stripped and the bolt holder is resting on the head of the bolt... I jack it up to get the bolt out and put a new one in, haha yeah right! it took me all day to get that bolt out and another half day to get the bolt holder out because the bolt has to be out of the bolt holder in order for it to come out... then I try to tap new threads into the bolt holder (seems like a good idea right?) think again, the tap gets stuck in the bolt holder and snaps off... so now I have a tap stuck in the bolt holder and no bolt, the left side is sitting just a little low... going to the dealership tomorrow so they can slap me around and charge me $8 million dollars for doing it myself the first time (by the way, I just bought it last week)

could be worse the tap could be inside one of your cylinders.

http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4430&PN=4Edited by: sdaver

true, but after $38000 and the bank owning me for the next seven years, I really don't like my ride being messed up

that sucksEdited by: mtomac

Little lube before starting would of helped (penuts w d 40)


Geno

I bet it was hacked from the factory. I brought mine home and cranked on em without any trouble. It sucks you had this kind of trouble.Edited by: Trippin

hey geno, I soaked both bolts with bolt buster before I started doing it, seems kind of squirrely... but I called the dealership this morning and they are going to take a look at it this afternoon

Now would seem like a good time to install the Green Keys !!!

They come from the factory with interference fit threads. Grease is a must and the advice given in another thread about taking the load off by jacking the truck up helps too. Were you using a pipe or an air wrench?

hey hoot... I jacked up the front end and soaked the bolts with bolt buster lubricant... hey dave ski, what is the advantage of the green keys?

I'll trade you problemshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

StraitDiesel -


Don't forget to get the front end re-aligned when you finish leveling with the torsion bars... http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif Leveling the front end by cranking up the torsion bars will change the suspension geometry and cause rapid tire wear. It did on my '03 D/A.

my dealer told me just to get under there with a inpact wrench and have someone outside and put a tape measure on it and tell me when it raises 1" or what ever you want. is this the wrong way to do it?


thanks patrick

I don't know if I would use an impact wrench why the weight of the whole truck is on it. I use some anti-sieze and a 1/2 hand rachet.

hey Dura Mike,


I went to the dealership today and they are ordering a new bolt holder (they said they've never had one strip out, so they didn't have any in stock) and they are going to fix it for me... they said it wasn't covered under warranty because I did it... I think it's a load of crap b/c I called the dealership and asked them if I could do it and they said yes... anyway... when they put the new bolt holder and bolt in, they are going to realign it... it's going to cost about $100... at first they said they were just going to drill the tap that was stuck in it and retap it, and that was going to cost $250 for the labor involved... I said my A**, get a part and do it the right way (it will save me money too) I hate the dealership I bought my truck from, they have screwed me every which way since I bought the truck

Hey everybody, just wanted to let you know I fixed it tonight myself... I had enough of the dealership and I hate when I can't do something, so I figured I would give it one last shot... I drilled the tap out (pain in my A**) and tapped new threads very carefully this time, I think it helped the tap I used this time was a Craftsman, more money but better brand I suppose... anyway, it's fixed and riding as good as new, I'll be able to sleep easier now that my girl is standing tall.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

Strait, I'm over by Mansfield, I just saw this thread but I could have helped u out.


I could have burnt the tap out and even Craftsman taps aren't much in quality.


I've run quite a few torsion bars up and never a problem, some w/ truck weight and some on the lift.


I use a 1/2" ratchet and turn the bolts so I can count the turns.

they shoulda warrantied it

ok, well they didn't warranty it, but... they put in new bolt holders and bolts on both sides (at my request) and they raised it to the highest with GM specs and guess what?? it's higher then I had it when I raised it, so even better! Bad thing: $144... but then it's under warranty again, so I don't have to worry about it anymore

I jack the truck up to get the weight off then use a 1/2 in socket wrench to count the turns. No lube on the three trucks I've done this to. No problems with any of them. Also no alignment on any of the three and no odd tire ware either. I call myself lucky I guess.





cmc