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RAISING THE REAR TORSION

This section will cover the turning of the rear torsion bars for basic bajas. This will offer the most lift with the best handling and the least amount of stress on the parts. If your baja is modified using extended trailing arms or different CVs the process is the same, just the amount to turn can vary.

If your raising a swing axle the process is the same except for the removal of the CV. In this case just unbolt the axle hub from the spring plate and swing the entire axle assembly out of the way.

The inner and outer splines are spaced differently. Turning the outer splines will give you more lift than the inners. I'm doing the outers here, because I believe it will give the most lift with out causing problems. The main thing is, to do both sides the same. If you don't, your car will lean.

TOOLS

• Jack
• Jack stands
• Basic tools
• Large allen wrench
• Torsion tool
• Rubber mallet
• Marker

Lets do it

• Block the front wheels.
• Jack up the rear of the car.
  • Place jack stands under the torsion tube
• Remove rear tires.
• Optional:disconnect the outer CV joint.
  • This makes it easier to remove the trailing arm.
  • Wrap in plastic bag (to keep it & you clean).
• Remove the shock.
• Remove the bolts holding the trailing arm to the spring plate.
• Remove the large allen bolt holding the arm to the torsion tube.
  • This is the same size as the transmission plugs.
  
• Slide the arm out of the way.
  • Take care not to damage the brake line.
• Remove the four bolts holding the torsion bar cover plate on.

CAUTION: IN THIS STEP YOU ARE GOING TO RELEASE THE SPRING PRESSURE, KEEP CLEAR OF THE SPRING PLATE.

• Use a rubber malet and hit the inside of the spring plate.
  • The object is to drive it off of the suspension stop.
  • It's going to spring down hard, so stay clear of it.
• Mark a line where the spring plate is.
• Slide the spring plate out.
  • If the torsion bar comes out with the plate, use a marker to mark the top of the bar.
  • Then wiggle and pull the torsion bar from the plate.
  • Slide it back in aligning the mark with the top.
• Replace the rubber bushings if they're worn.
  • These can be replaced with heavy duty Urethane bushings.
• You can grind the supension stops down a little to gain some extra wheel travel.
  • Be careful here, DO NOT grind more than an 1/8in. or you will cause binding in your CVs.
  • This will give you approx. 1in. more travel.
• Slide the spring plate back over the torsion bar, feeling for the splines.
  • Turn it downward one spline from the original position.
    • Remember: the inner and outer splines are spaced differently, so make sure you do both sides the same.
  • Now your spring plate mark, from earlier, should be slightly above the spring plate.
• At this point repeat the process on the other side.
  • Make sure that your spring plates are in the same location before continuing.
• Start the torsion cover bolts. This may be a little tricky, take your time and pry the cover to align the holes. DO NOT tighten at this time.
  • You will not be able to start the bottom rear bolt at this time.
  • If your bolts are too short use longer bolts and replace them after everything is pulled together.
• Use your torsion tool to pull the sping plate back into place.
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  Torsion tool installed
  Use a little grease on the threads

  
  
• Tighten the four cover bolts to hold it in place.
• Remove the torsion tool.
• Reinstall the trailing arm.
• Reinstall the shock.
• Repeat on other side.
• Reinstall the CVs
  • This is a good time to clean, inspect and regrease your CVs.
• Put the wheels back on.
• Let the car down and you're done