IFS torsion bar question

[buffblazer]

Will it cause and problems if I turn them almost all the way down?

Already lowered the front a little before now I'm wanting to drop another inch. I have about half the bolt still threaded in,

I know it will soften my ride but will it cause any wear?

On my duramax that's lifted taking the 5 inch block out of the rear to put a 4 inch in and wanting to lower the front to match

 

[3MAX]

I know on the 90's models it will cause issues. The torsion bar attaches to the lower A-arm, but the bump stop that limits downward travel is on the upper A-arm. When the torsion bars are turned down too tight, almost any bump causes the upper arm to hit the bump stop, and that force travels through the ball joints - the torsion bar is litterally yanking on the ball joints with every bump. My brother had a IFS 1/2 ton truck, and he had 3 ball joint come apart before he finally went back to smaller tires and lowered the front end back down - and his truck was not wheeled hard at all.

 

[nsxxtreme]

I know on the 90's models it will cause issues. The torsion bar attaches to the lower A-arm, but the bump stop that limits downward travel is on the upper A-arm. When the torsion bars are turned down too tight, almost any bump causes the upper arm to hit the bump stop, and that force travels through the ball joints - the torsion bar is litterally yanking on the ball joints with every bump. My brother had a IFS 1/2 ton truck, and he had 3 ball joint come apart before he finally went back to smaller tires and lowered the front end back down - and his truck was not wheeled hard at all.

On my friends 94 blazer the bump stop is on the lower control arm along with the torsion bar. I think I have heard of aftermarket control arms specifically for lowering a truck. That is probably what I would look into.

 

[buffblazer]

I think I didnt make it very clear what I was asking. My truck is currently lifted with 5 inch blocks in the rear and then whatever they do to lift the front.

All I'm wanting to do is Lower the rear an inch with a 4 inch block and then just turn the bars down to match.

The bolts in the torsion keys are about half turned in and I'm wondering just like if you turn them up to much you have problems is it the same If you turn them down some?

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[miniwally]

I think I didnt make it very clear what I was asking. My truck is currently lifted with 5 inch blocks in the rear and then whatever they do to lift the front.

All I'm wanting to do is Lower the rear an inch with a 4 inch block and then just turn the bars down to match.

The bolts in the torsion keys are about half turned in and I'm wondering just like if you turn them up to much you have problems is it the same If you turn them down some?

Sorry for the confusion.

It all has to do with how much room you have between the droop stop and the pad on the upper control arm. I have Cognito upper arms and stops but I think their spec is no less than half an inch between the stop and pad. The stop is leveraged on the arm so 1/2" eqauls 3" or 4" at the tire. If you have room there you should be able to lower it.

On the lower arm is the actual bumpstop that is what I believe they call the timbren. There is a rubber looking bumpstop thing that will be very close if not touching at ride height.

Be careful because the balljoints on these trucks are very sensitive to angle and travel. They can over travel but I think if you take a look at it you can see how much you can lower it. Also my understanding of the torsion bar is that it is a "set" rate. Meaning that no matter where in the adjustment range it is it only has one spring rate. It makes sense cause all it's doing is twisting to act like a spring. By adjusting the rotation on the frame end you change the the amount it lifts or lowers the front at the A arm.

Where you notice the ride changing is when the arms are almost touching the droop stop or are too hard in to the bump stop. That is what causes the ride quality to suffer, most think it's because of the torsion bars increasing spring rate but they really don't.

 

[buffblazer]

So your saying if I lower the front, as long as there is at least a half inch gap between the upper pad and the upper A arm I should be good?

Any clearance issues with the lower one?