Re: [T3] Rear Torsion Bar Tube

["Norman Wilsman" <norm111@hotmail.com>]

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On 07 Jul 2003  Jim Adney wrote:

> Yes, the rear subframe will simply unbolt from the pan. I think there are 
> something like 7 bolts that secure it, but if you have the body off then 
> you've already removed 2 of them. If the tranny is still in the subframe 
> then you also need to disconnect the shift coupling.

> I'd be tempted to leave the front and rear wheels on it to make it a 
> roller, but if you already have these off then I'd certainly pull the 
> subframe, too.

Thanks Jim.  I have the transmission out and the axles off (those rear 
bearings are a trick...:))
When I drained the transmission oil, a rather large chunk of brass 
(.5"x.25") and I think 7 teeth came out with the oil.  The car would 
infrequently pop out of gear.  So, I called MOFOCO, they have a rebuilt 
transmission for $400.

Bob wrote:

> Yes its worth your time, as now you can clean and repaint it all. Just 
> don't try taking apart the rear torsion bar assembly, as it will be very 
> hard to reassemble it without the rest of the car to give you some weight 
> to put it back together, and it CAN HURT YOU if you're not careful.

Thanks Bob, I really wanted to go ahead with this yesterday, but, wanted to 
make sure I wasnât getting into an area that required a huge hydraulic press 
or other tools I donât own to get back together.
I already unloaded one spring using a floor jack, a rather thick chain 
wrapped around the bottom of the floor jack
and anchored to the top of the shock absorber mount with a bolt,  and some 
very careful jacking and
prying. I didn't like it at all, scary stuff.  I had read somewhere (?!?) 
how the two sides wear differently
and need to be recalibrated eventually. The one side read @ 20 degrees 30 
minutes.
I'm going to unload the other side, but keep it together for now, remove the 
tube and clean restore it
separate from the pan. It seems like I should be able to reload the spring 
the same way I took it off.
This is one area where the Bentley kind of understates what to do.
I can see breaking an arm unloading the spring with a tire iron.

Norm Wilsman
68â Squareback
Golden Valley, MN
Norm111@hotmail.com

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