I have new brass rollers to install on the rear trunk torsion rods. How the heck do you unload the torsion bars to slide on the rollers?

Use a deep well 10mm socket on a long extension as a tool. I've always had the trunk removed, so that might be neccessary- but stick the socket down over the torsion spring then lever it down to clear the pivot, Wear some thick gloves in case something gets pinched or goes flying.... It will be easy if there is someone who can reach in then and slide off the old roller and slide on the new one (no circlips or retainers- the spring holds it in place). If you are by yourself, you can let the extension up very slowly until it contacts the underside of the body panel by the hood opening- and just leave the whole assembly in place while tyou swap out the rollers. I've even driven my car with one of these holding the spring down. Its a little scary but turns out no big deal...

just lean on the socket extension with one hand...move quick...pull off the old roller and put on the new one.

RIch

I wonder if anyone ever checks the "Lapuwali Classic Thread Forum" ...

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=39320

Andy

Be careful...

Wasn't it Dave Darling that got whacked in his chest (by the evil tool) and thought his heart was gonna stop????

Ken

I was using a box-end wrench, not a socket. The wrench rotated, allowing the torsion rod to move upward. It hit the roller pivot, rocketing the trunk hinge upward at roughly Mach 3, straight into my chest.

Ouch...

--DD

Q) How do you install new trunk rollers?

A) Very carefully!

or B ) let someone else do them.

I used a pipe wrench on the end of the torsion rod... like the 10mm socket trick, only with more leverage.

I wouldn't use the pipe wrench. Too muc chance of it rotating like my box-end wrench did...

--DD

Not really. The pipe wrench was made for holding things.

Someone makes a tool for it. Just a bar of steel with a notch in it. I did one out of the froming stake.

An easy to make one is to drill a hole in a bar of steel near the edge then hack saw to the side making a notch. All the other idea's scare me.

Rick, give me a call, I have a reproduction of the factory tool to hold the torsion bars down, while changing the roller.... Cell 813 390-1891, home 813 719-7518...

-- Rob

...with eye & face protection.

Rob I'll give you a call tomorrow. Thanks

The suggestions from you guys was helpful and tonight I attacked the torsion bars with a 3/4 drive 9mm socket on an extension. Only took about 2 minutes and both sides were done. I took an inventory and I still have all fingers,teeth and eyes so we're good to go