Torsion bar leveling kits....

[cwlongshot]

I bought a '05 GMC 2500HD. And need to gain 1"+ in the front end to better clear the tires. They are 285/75-16 size and will fit with this height adjustment.

I never had torsion bars before. I have been working on cars my whole life and under stand the premice. But I am finding removing the keys from the bars impossible.

I have the stress relieved, bolts and adjusters out. The bar with key attached is hanging free with in the constraints of the X member. Over the weekend, my brother and I spent almost five hours beating, heating, getting heated, cursing, spraying, prying, beating and cursing some more. I mean 20# sledge beating... The front of the bar is loose as a goose the bar cannot come out with out dropping tranny X member. I Don't really wanna do that.

Seems to me the factory keys are rust welded to the bars.

The kit I bought has two new keys and two lower shock mounts. I have mounted the shock mounts and currently have the tires on with the factory keys turned up to get me 1 1/2" in add height. I was holding off on an allignment till I got the new keys in. Now I'm thinking it's just fine as is and will just go get it re aligned....

Any suggestions or comments on this choice of action? Any help is much appreciated.

CW

[Lloyd Smale]

I had the bars cranked up on my 06 1/2 ton to clear 285s when it was new. I think they raised it about an inch. I was told at the time that it would cause more wear on my stearing components. I couldnt see how but at 60 thousand miles i had to have about every part on my stearing replaced. the ball joints were in sad shape. Its still set up that way because at 30000 i put new mud terrains on it and theres still in good shape. that and i sold my stock rims when i swapped the bigger tires and rims on it when it was new. I wouldnt do it again though. Id just live with 275s.