matt36

How many of you guys have changed your keys? How hard are they to change? I've got a New set of keys I want to put on. Was wondering how you change them I know to crank them down an use the key so u can take out the adjuster nut. How do the keys come off the bar?

Red-Ford

They come off pretty easy, just unload the tension, then use a pry bar between the key and crossmember, you may need some WD-40 and a sledge hammer depending on how stubborn they are. When replacing make sure you measure where your current front end height is so you keep that height when putting the new keys in.

matt36

I was told. I would have to unbolt the crossmemeber for the torsion bars? But your saying just put a pry bar in between the key an crossmember an spray with wd40 an pry the key off?

Red-Ford

Exactly, when I did my lift kit we did unbolt the cross member as we couldn't drop the keys too easy, but it you just want to replace the key, unbolting the cross member would be a bigger pain than keeping it in.

Please disregard the leveling kit part, but here is a video:


I was just thinking it may be easier to loosen the key off of the bar while the cross member is attached, but it you can't get it to drop, then you would unbolt the cross member, not a big deal.

matt36

Thanks Red Ford! For the video on this, it really helps an don't look that bad to do. Looks like I'll be doing this monday. As long with sum plasti dip painting. Can't wait to do it. Then I need to find me sum 33s or really would like sum 35s to put on her.

Red-Ford

You bet, best of luck.

Carcrazygts2

Dont waste your time with aftermarket keys. You will regret it after having to replace front suspension components yearly. Even if you dont crank past 24.5 they still put too much preload on the torsion bars and eventually you will have to replace the torsion bars.

matt36

Well went to change my keys today lets just say it didn't go as planed. I took a scraper an screwdriver an cleaned around the mounting spots for the bars an keys. Sprayed the crap out of them with pb blaster 2 days b4 I started an sprayed everyday. Marked the bars an still couldn't get the bars to move. I tried a crow bar, pry bar, an a air hammer. Still wouldn't budge a bit. Any suggestions on what I should try next or any tips that would help??? If so let me know please! Thanks

matt36

I'm also doing a shackle in the rear instead of a block. I was told the shackle would give a better ride then doing blocks. I know getting the bolts out of the factory shackle were a pain in the ***. The bottom bolt didn't wanna come out ether.

Carcrazygts2

Probably rusted in the the lower control arms. Might as well try to get new ones. Cut them and use a sledge to pound them out..