Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment

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Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment

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Hummer Forums >> Brand Reviews >> Drivetrain Area >> Suspension >> Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment

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Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment - 4/10/2006 3:09:58 PM

aetherH3

Posts: 59
Joined: 2/21/2006
Status: offline

Is there a difference between getting a leveling kit and just cranking up the Torsion Bars? Pros/Cons of each??? I want my H3 LEVEL!!!!

Thankya veddy mucha!

Post #: 1

RE: Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment - 4/10/2006 4:11:26 PM

shortbus

Posts: 3602
Joined: 6/27/2005
Status: offline

you should be able to level it with the torsion bars. the kit is a pair of offset adjuster keys that replace the ones you've got. i wouldn't recommend the kit, they will change the overall geometry of the vehicle beyond the manufacturers design. but, others have done the kit and don't appear to have issues yet.

(in reply to aetherH3)

Post #: 2

RE: Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment - 4/10/2006 6:53:29 PM

aetherH3

Posts: 59
Joined: 2/21/2006
Status: offline

Thanks for the info. Also whats the concensus on getting an alignment done after cranking the torsion bars? I have heard a few people say that they put them on the rack but didn't bother adjusting anything because there was no noticeable change. Others say to get one or else...

(in reply to shortbus)

Post #: 3

RE: Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment - 4/10/2006 7:35:52 PM

Linus Gump

Posts: 960
Status: offline

I twisted mine 2.5 turns, the seamingly recommended amount, and didn't bother with an alignment because others have said no alignment is needed. the way I look at it, I marked the bolts before turning them, so if I notice funky wear on the tires, I'll just go back to stock. The only problem I see with cranking the bars to the point of having it sit totally level with the rear is on compression you run the risk of over flexing the spring and snapping it. (think of pulling too far on a rubber band) You can remidy this by moving your bump stops to return the travel to more of a stock movement, but now you are limiting your upward travel after you have just comprimised your downward travel by converting it to lift. In my opinion, I would recommend a well thought out and designed kit if you want it to be complety level.

(in reply to aetherH3)

Post #: 4

RE: Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment - 4/10/2006 8:03:29 PM

dilo2001gt

Posts: 4300
Status: offline

I did it i do it again in a heartbeat it makes the truck.

(in reply to Linus Gump)

Post #: 5

RE: Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment - 4/10/2006 8:23:45 PM

shortbus

Posts: 3602
Joined: 6/27/2005
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i think with either method, an alignment would be a good idea. they're your tires, but uneven wear isn't the only issue. the bottoms of your tires are now being forced inward, they're not hitting the pavement flat anymore (after the change). that's going to affect handling, and wear on the inner parts. the handling you might not notice, and the wear may not be a problem until you sell it. but, if it looks good. . . .

(in reply to dilo2001gt)

Post #: 6

RE: Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment - 4/10/2006 8:32:27 PM

Dennis

Posts: 7584
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quote:

ORIGINAL: shortbus

i think with either method, an alignment would be a good idea. they're your tires, but uneven wear isn't the only issue. the bottoms of your tires are now being forced inward, they're not hitting the pavement flat anymore (after the change). that's going to affect handling, and wear on the inner parts. the handling you might not notice, and the wear may not be a problem until you sell it. but, if it looks good. . . .

Makes sense...It's bound to put a tilt of some kind on them..what is the term for when the outside top is tilted out and the outside bottom is riding on that outside edge?..Caster or Camber?..I never can keep those straight.

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Post #: 7

RE: Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment - 4/10/2006 9:51:20 PM

dilo2001gt

Posts: 4300
Status: offline

I JUST HAD MY ALIGNMENT AGAIN AND THE TIRE ARE NICE AND FLUSH WITH THE GROUND NO WEAR ON THEM JUST ROTATED THEM TO.IF YOU GO TO A GOOD PLACE THAT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND HAVE THE BEST EQUPIMENT.IT RIDES NICE

(in reply to Dennis)

Post #: 8

RE: Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment - 4/10/2006 10:31:50 PM

nascar 17

Posts: 164
Joined: 2/27/2006
Status: offline

I did turn my torsion bar and it raised it 2 inches and it is level. it rides great.( SEE PHOTOS UNDER HOOD HANDLES ) I did get a alignment . Whats 99.00 to make sure the tires wont wear bad and cup out. let me tell you i got the computer read out before and after i had it aligned. it did change it after turning the torsion alot the machine doesnt lie. it is now back in factory specs .Its worth the money to get a alingment them to buy new tires. i am putting the 315 75 16 or the 315 70 17 in 2 weeks. i didnt want to take a chance with new tires and riun them so i spent the low cost of a aligment.just because it feels good doesnt mean the camber is ok or the tow. if you turn it put it on a machine and get a read out you will see what it reads.

(in reply to dilo2001gt)

Post #: 9

RE: Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment - 4/11/2006 1:48:17 AM

aetherH3

Posts: 59
Joined: 2/21/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dennis

quote:

ORIGINAL: shortbus

i think with either method, an alignment would be a good idea. they're your tires, but uneven wear isn't the only issue. the bottoms of your tires are now being forced inward, they're not hitting the pavement flat anymore (after the change). that's going to affect handling, and wear on the inner parts. the handling you might not notice, and the wear may not be a problem until you sell it. but, if it looks good. . . .

Makes sense...It's bound to put a tilt of some kind on them..what is the term for when the outside top is tilted out and the outside bottom is riding on that outside edge?..Caster or Camber?..I never can keep those straight.
[/quote]

ANSWER: Positive camber.

(in reply to Dennis)

Post #: 10

RE: Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment - 12/11/2006 1:33:48 PM

Smokin Joe

Posts: 9
Joined: 10/25/2006
Status: offline

Nascar 17,
Do you have any photos after lifting your front 2"?
Joe

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2006 H2, Black, LUX Series
2004 Lincoln Navigator
2003 Jeep Rubicon
2001 Ford F-350 Dually

Toy pics below:
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(in reply to nascar 17)

Post #: 11

RE: Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment - 12/11/2006 1:47:19 PM

importkiller

Posts: 7254
Status: offline

well, I'm not nascar but that thread was back in april and I'm not even sure he still posts here...so here ya go, this is after a 2" raise by turning the t-bars.

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Post #: 12

RE: Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment - 12/11/2006 4:37:27 PM

Smokin Joe

Posts: 9
Joined: 10/25/2006
Status: offline

That looks awesome! Thinking of doing it to my H2, but keep hearing negative crap about it. How do you like your ride, etc. Any problems?

_____________________________

2006 H2, Black, LUX Series
2004 Lincoln Navigator
2003 Jeep Rubicon
2001 Ford F-350 Dually

Toy pics below:
http://community.webshots.com/user/smokinjodually

(in reply to importkiller)

Post #: 13

RE: Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment - 12/11/2006 4:43:33 PM

importkiller

Posts: 7254
Status: offline

there is no negative. If you go nuts on the amount of turns then you may have a harsher ride, other than that nothing else negative. You can even get your local dealer to do it so obviously GM meant them to be turned

I have had other trucks with them cranked for many many years and never had anything fail prematurely. Do a search under my name and tortion bar as the subject, I posted an article from a t-bar manufacturer that covered the entire thing in depth, good read if you can find it.

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Post #: 14

RE: Leveling kit VS. Torsion bar adjustment - 12/11/2006 5:49:41 PM

H3_Hummer

Posts: 145
Joined: 9/15/2006
Status: offline

I have a question on turning the torsion bars? Why don't they come from the factory turned up?

I know that a torsion bar adjustment is meant to be adjusted when the front end starts to sag after a few years of use and that is why there is adjustment. To adjust more than normal Factory specs to me is asking for problems later. Just my .02.

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Jude