Topic Sponsor
1997 - 2003 Ford F150 General discussion on the Ford 1997 - 2003 F150 truck.

Keys or bars?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 29, 2015 | 08:29 AM
  #1  
catbones's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 153
Likes: 2
Default Keys or bars?

Is it possible to replace the torsion bars? I've noticed that one side of my truck the key is pretty much tightened as much as possible and the other I've got about an inch. Does that mean the one bar is loosing its strength ?
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2015 | 08:43 AM
  #2  
River1's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,627
Likes: 795
From: Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by catbones
Is it possible to replace the torsion bars? I've noticed that one side of my truck the key is pretty much tightened as much as possible and the other I've got about an inch. Does that mean the one bar is loosing its strength ?
It's an obvious but not necessarily. There could be a problem somewhere else in the suspension system and this is where or how you are seeing it.

Yes, you can replace the bars.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2015 | 09:36 AM
  #3  
allinon72's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 1,536
From: Indianapolis, IN
Default

This is a characteristic of a torsion bar suspension. You can replace the bars, but there's no guarantee that the new ones will be exactly equal. As long as the truck sits level, there is no issue.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2015 | 11:06 AM
  #4  
DrillRig52's Avatar
5 Year Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 201
From: Albuquerque, NM
Default Keys or bars?

Pretty sure the fuel tank, steering column/box and other items that are on one side of the truck have something to do with that. I'm almost positive every truck is like that. I know mine is.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2015 | 12:39 PM
  #5  
jprevat's Avatar
Resident Forester
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 13,940
Likes: 1,531
From: South Carolina
Default Keys or bars?

Originally Posted by DrillRig52
Pretty sure the fuel tank, steering column/box and other items that are on one side of the truck have something to do with that. I'm almost positive every truck is like that. I know mine is.
As far as I have seen they are. They compensate for the extra few hundred pounds that are constantly on the driver side.
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2015 | 06:37 PM
  #6  
catbones's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 153
Likes: 2
Default Keys or bars?

Hey guys, thanks for giving me so much info on this. I was worried something was wrong and the previous owner just cranked the one side to hide an issue or the bar just ran out of strength.. Thanks again!
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2015 | 06:39 PM
  #7  
catbones's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 153
Likes: 2
Default Keys or bars?

BTW, if I was to replace the bars... Where would I be looking to buy them? I tried a few Google searches but got nothing but keys.

How come some people re-key their keys, is that just part of a lift or do keys lose their thing and need replacement?

Thanks again in advance.
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2015 | 06:47 PM
  #8  
Carcrazygts2's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 435
Default

The torsion bars for these trucks have been discontinued. They are no longer available new. Used is the only way to get different ones. You can also swap gm torsion bars with minor modifications.
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:33 AM.