| Torsion bar unloader [message #153767] |
Tue, 20 December 2011 16:29  |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Thought I'd separate this from the 1 ton discussions. It looks like I'll buy a torsion bar unloader but I see both the "J" types and the U-bolt styles. I used one of the U-bolt types before and was surprised by the amount of force needed to unload that sucker. What's the general feeling out there?
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Torsion bar unloader [message #153801 is a reply to message #153795] |
Tue, 20 December 2011 19:35  |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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""Bob,
Considering what the "J" types cost I reckon with your facilities you could build two of the "U" types (like Larry's) for less than
what one of the "J" types will cost.
I reckon having two of them would be helpful when setting ride height. Please note that the operative word in the previous sentence
is "reckon" I don't have two of them!
I have one of the "U" types here in Sydney and I find that the solid block which is about one inch "tall" allows the "U" and screw
to move so the screw is not in line with the "U." If I were to make them I'd make the solid block a lot "taller" and the holes that
the legs of the "U" go through would be a close fit.
Regards,
Rob M.
""
Thanks Rob--I'm sure that makes sense. I just asked the guys whether we have one at work but I doubt we have many torsion bar trucks around. I recall a drawing somehwere that I'll search for.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Torsion bar unloader [message #153812 is a reply to message #153810] |
Tue, 20 December 2011 20:05 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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""Bob,
Here's a picture of the one Larry made.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=9162
The "U" bolt I bought has much longer "legs" on it which would allow a "taller" block. Unfortunately I've thrown the box away and
can't remember where I bought it.
""
Any words of wisdom regarding the "through bolt" hardness and nut? I'm assuming a grade 8 bolt is a minimum. I vaguely recalled when I used one before that the bolt thread was galling.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Torsion bar unloader [message #153820 is a reply to message #153818] |
Tue, 20 December 2011 20:45 |
Larry
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| Larry wrote on Tue, 20 December 2011 20:41 |
| Bob de Kruyff wrote on Tue, 20 December 2011 20:05 |
""Bob,
Here's a picture of the one Larry made.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=9162
The "U" bolt I bought has much longer "legs" on it which would allow a "taller" block. Unfortunately I've thrown the box away and
can't remember where I bought it.
""
Any words of wisdom regarding the "through bolt" hardness and nut? I'm assuming a grade 8 bolt is a minimum. I vaguely recalled when I used one before that the bolt thread was galling.
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The nut is a grade 8, and I'm assuming the bolt is also. I found that I had to lube it good with a synthetic grease or it would gall. The nut also had to be welded all of the way around. At first it was just tacked in place, but that tack broke on the second or third use. The "U" bolt I picked up at my local "Fleet Farm" supply, but can be had at any auto supply store. Then you have to weld a little "tit" on it so it stays in place on the frame. JWID
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Check that...guess I got it from NAPA, but can be found at Fleet Farm supply. There is a lot of pressure on that thing...note that the bar is bent some in the middle, and I'm using 3/4" drive ratchet and socket.
Larry 
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Torsion bar unloader [message #153853 is a reply to message #153818] |
Wed, 21 December 2011 02:22 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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[quote title=Larry wrote on Tue, 20 December 2011 20:41][quote
Any words of wisdom regarding the "through bolt" hardness and nut? I'm assuming a grade 8 bolt is a minimum. I vaguely recalled when I used one before that the bolt thread was galling.[/quote]
Bob,
Give Blaine Merrell a phone call and discuss it with him. He has been through building them and can tell you his experiences.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Torsion bar unloader [message #153861 is a reply to message #153767] |
Wed, 21 December 2011 05:41 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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I have been involved with a few of the "u-bolt" unloaders, and as Manny
says the Kent-Moore, are a slam dunk, some of the others have some
problems with bending and galling.
as KarenW says
-------------------
The original Kent-Moore J-22517-02 u-bolt style works fine. Here's a
picture of a real one:
http://www.machinesoflovinggrace.net/gmc/frontend/Images/Picture%20281-trim.jpg
Some of the knock-offs of that design don't work -- the arms on the "U" are
too short or
the cross-member is too thick to fit and allow complete unloading of the
pork chop.
I don't have any experience with the J-shaped versions. KW
------------------------------------
The weakness of some of the others are typically the side legs of the
u-bolt bend under the stress of the unload. This is a PTA, but not a
serious problem, as you can straighten them out if they become bent.
On the one-ton install, most of the porkchop adjustment is done with the
front end raised, to reduce the load to the tool.
But for the DIY alignment ALA JerryW, often you are moving the porkchop (6
turns. inch) to adjust fractions of an inch, and then driving the coach to
get everything settled in to the final height. This is done often, but
typically just a few turns, and almost always under full load.
so here are some of the solutions folks use and provide
http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/924
file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/gene/My%20Documents/2011/dec11/gmc11/gmc-tools-from-tony.html
http://gmcmotorhomeinfo.20m.com/figs/torson/TorsionBarTension.htm
http://gmcmotorhome.info/TORSION.html
interesting reading ( some old ;>)
gene
On Tue, Dec 20, 2011 at 2:29 PM, Bob de Kruyff <NEXT2POOL@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> Thought I'd separate this from the 1 ton discussions. It looks like I'll
> buy a torsion bar unloader but I see both the "J" types and the U-bolt
> styles. I used one of the U-bolt types before and was surprised by the
> amount of force needed to unload that sucker. What's the general feeling
> out there?
> --
> Bob de Kruyff
> 78 Eleganza
> Chandler, AZ
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: Torsion bar unloader [message #153892 is a reply to message #153767] |
Wed, 21 December 2011 09:25 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Well thanks everyone!! lots of good info there. Last night it struck me that we may actually have one here at the tech center but unforunately I'm surrounded by Fords not Chevies !
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Torsion bar unloader [message #153921 is a reply to message #153892] |
Wed, 21 December 2011 13:37 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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I printed out the various designs and had them laying on my desk. One of our engineers walked by and saw it and wanted to know what I was up to. He turned around and pulled one out of his desk drawer!!The only problem is that it has a coarse thread on the center bolt but I suspect it will be usable. I think I may still have one built sow an pass it around!
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Torsion bar unloader [message #154018 is a reply to message #153897] |
Wed, 21 December 2011 22:58 |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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| Ken Henderson wrote on Wed, 21 December 2011 09:43 |
Steve,
From the looks of that under carriage, you need to do some engine &
transmission work so it will all get nice and oily, like mine.
Ken H.
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What I need to do to mine is to drive it so the leaks I have will blow back where they will do some good. <grin>
The parts that show in that picture are now painted or coated with Chassis Saver. The entire front subframe is out on a dolly waiting for the engine to be pulled for a rebuild. (This will happen after I get the ceiling and insulation in the barn.) Not sure about the tranny yet, gotta call Manny about that. Got a high lead number from the oil test. The frame will then be taken to the restoration guys. Then I get to put it all back together.
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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