99 Expedition Problem #1

[acolic]

Hi,

driving over a bumpy road and I heard a loud bang. I noticed that the front driver side body was very low to the ground.

Originally I thought the front driver side shock had busted off but I found the torsion bar adjustment bolt and bar nearby. I checked underneath and the driver side adjustment bar/bolt had popped off and my driver torsion bar was loose.

I get how I go about reinstalling them but:

1. Why would the torsion bar pop out of its slot?
2. What's to prevent it from popping out again after I reinstall it?
3. Should I try to find a new torsion bar and bolt.?

Thanks

Alex

 

[acolic]

Hi,

Ford can get me a new torsion bar adjustment nut but not the bolt.

Any idea who might sell the torsion bar adjustment bolt?

Could someone please confirm the part number for the torsion bar adjustment bolt, the parts scematic was a bit blurry.

Thanks for the help

 

[hades02]

I can't help with the part number right now. I have the service manual at home for 97 - 2001 Ford Trucks. Will send a note to you on Friday when I get home. If you get the size of the bolt you can order something similar from Fastenal. Cheaper than the stealership.

 

[acolic]

Thanks,

Good advice.

Once I get the nut from the dealer I'll go to a local Nut + Bolt store and get the correct bolt but I noticed the existing bolt is round over to fit in a dimple in the torsion key.

I guess I can take a grinder to the bolt and roll it over.

Alex

 

[stamp11127]

You might want to get a grade 8 bolt and nut.

 

[FordandPolaris]

You might want to get a grade 8 bolt and nut.

I second the notion. That was actually going to be my advice too when I first read the original post. Put a grade 8 bolt in there and it will do just as well as the one from the dealership. Also I am guessing that the bolt will sit in the dimple even if the head isn't rounded. Lots of pressure on that bolt...

 

[acolic]

Thanks for all the advice.

Does anyone know how the nut and bolt could pop out?

And by pop out I mean I found them intact with the bolt still threaded to the nut.

Isan't the torsion key pushing against the adjustment bolt?

 

[FordandPolaris]

That's what I would think. Did the torsion key break? If the piece that extends to the bolt snapped then maybe that's how. Honestly I have never heard of a torsion bar coming loose...


Sent from the Pocket Computer

 

[acolic]

I never thought about looking at the torsion bar to see if it was damanged.

I'll compare it to the other side.

 

[acolic]

Ok,

good news is the torsion key is in one piece.

Bad news I think I figured out why the torsion nut and bolt fell out.

There seems to be a gap in the cross member in which the torsion bar and key are mounted within.

On the right side, the good side, there is a two finger gap within which the torsion key fits in, on the left at least three fingers.

Does this look wrong?

How is this fixed?

thanks for the help.

Alex

 

[FordandPolaris]

Unfortunately it looks like that crossmember collapsed. Possibly due to rust. It's hard to tell from the pictures but that could very well explain the occurrence

EDIT: I looked at them again and I can't decide. It could just be the way it looks when the torsion bar isn't there to hold it in. Also check the front a arm where it plugs in for wear. If it is rounded out that would cause the bar to untwist.


Sent from the Pocket Computer

 

[acolic]

The torsion bar dosen't go throug both holes in the cross member does it?

On the good side it looks like it passes through the front hole and sits against the back side of the cross member.

Is that correct?

 

[acolic]

The torshio bar nut came in from the dealer and I found the bolts at a nut + bolt store.

For reference it's a M14 Course thread 60mm.

The shop is waiting for the special tool to arrive and then they'll install it.

 

[acolic]

Hi

All fixed, the cross member had compressed outwards which had caused the torsion nut and bolt to fall out of place.

They used an air powered C clamp (Didn't even know that existed) to pull everything back into spec.

But they can't guarantee it'll stay like that.

Looks like I'll be looking for a solid used crossmemeber.

Alex