Torsion Bar Lowering Guide

1. stevenet15 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2006 aylesbury buckinghamshire Posts: 4822 Astra Turbo, saxo vts, punto turbo

   #1 18th October 2007, 22:04

   i know how u bitches love my guides so i have decided to make a torsion bar lowering guide, i will be making step by step animations showing u clearly exactly what to do. it wont be finished for a few weeks but here is a sneeky peek of a bit i have made so far:
   
   
   
   

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by stevenet15 these guides are good: http://www.badgermotorsport.co.uk/lowering.htm http://www.suzukituning.com/PSA/Suspension/Lowering.htm and here is some info from me: firstly take the shocks off so that the suspension arms dont have any pull on them apart from there own weight, then do measurements (measure from behind the hub to the bottom of the car & note measurments) Then undo the ARB plate bolts so u can rotate the ARB out the way, next u need to remove all the torx bolts and offcenetered washers from both ends of both torsion bars now get some WD40 and cokacola and plater it around the ends of the torsion bars and splines this will help eat into the rust and help free it off then you can either try slide hammering the torsion bar out if its still seised in you can try the bolt and socket method as shown in the pic below (make sure that the bolt has at least 10-15mm in the torsion bar before pulling out or u will rip the threads) socket and bolt method if its still not budging then you can get a mate to hit the other side of the torsion bar with a 7lb lump hammer and a bar with you slide hammer or socket and bolt the other side, the pressure of both forces against the torsion bar normally frees it up lump hammer and bar: if its still not budging then u can use a blow torch to heat the ends around the torsion bar up as the metal expands it normally healts to break the seal of the rust and help free it up also sometimes if u put a jack under the arm ur trying to remove the torsion bar from and jsut tkae it up a few mm it helps take a little weight off the torsion bar which can help it have less stress to come out. u can keep applying WD40/coke mixture throughout the different stages to try help it and just have to keep trying, they will give way eventually once done and out measure and use a jack to hold the arm at the new height u want and then pop the torsion bar back in, and fit everything back on, do some for both sides, job done here is also a animated pic i made showing torsion bars

   Here are some reference pics showing you the bolt and socket method, there not pics of it being done on a saxo but its showing the identicle procedure of using the socket and bolt metod to remove a torsion bar
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   10 users thanked this post: Tsaxovtr, dannyboy2005, user_26373, user_31231, user_34323, user_39284, user_42401, bourney, Daz_Kez, Wee_monkey1987
2. jazzsingh51 Frequent Poster Joined: May 2004 B'ham Posts: 942 Black 2002 furio!

   #2 18th October 2007, 22:18

   looks good steve - is this guide going to be finished by saturday? - because im doing mine then!!!
   
   edit - just seen your post in my torsion bar thread and that this wont be done for a few weeks!!! - Ive got a few guides to work from - so should be alright
3. Wayne Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2007 Powys Posts: 15348 Icelandtic Grey Citroen Saxo VTS 53 Turbo

   #3 18th October 2007, 22:22

   looks good so far can't wait to see all the step by step's
4. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

   #4 19th October 2007, 08:13

   Very good of you. It would be a nice sticky to have.
5. Steve Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2005 Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 19910 CW Honda Integra DC5

   #5 19th October 2007, 09:22

   should be good, used heat to get mine out! bolts were seized so chizled them out! some trouble shooting guide would be good aswel alongside it
6. Predator_R32p Super Moderator Joined: Mar 2003 Durham (England) Posts: 37932 1. AX 2. Mk2 Saxo VTR 3. MK4 R32 DBP

   #6 19th October 2007, 11:05

   good stuff steve, it will be the 3rd one on the entire net and with them animations it will easily top the others
7. The_Notorious_C_A_T Established Member Joined: May 2007 Near Inverurie (kind of...) Posts: 2303 Twingo Silverstone

   #7 22nd October 2007, 12:39

   Thats a good idea mate.
   
   Animations are always good!
8. Mr_suv Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2007 blandiago Posts: 4483 Hondaaaa

   #8 22nd October 2007, 21:19

   u will be the ultimate king mofo then i love u !!!!!
9. SaxoKez Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Oct 2007 Scunthorpe (North Lincolnshire) Posts: 3325 White Subaru WRX Black Saxo VTS

   #9 22nd October 2007, 21:20

   ace, animations look gd
10. dannyc Frequent Poster Joined: Jul 2007 Milton Keynes Posts: 841 Possi Blue VTR (Gone) MK3 VR6

    #10 17th November 2007, 17:02

    any update!?
11. bullit Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2005 e-hollywood Posts: 17160 toyata hilux

    #11 17th November 2007, 17:12

    i may have to rep you big man, top stuff
12. chriswindy Established Member Joined: Jan 2006 Bolton Posts: 1254 53' 16v VTR

    #12 20th December 2007, 14:56

    anymore steps steve?
13. Modified Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Feb 2007 Chesham Posts: 2911 Golf MK4 GTi 20v Turbo - BLAP BLAP

    #13 20th December 2007, 15:15

    looks good makes me feel even better for u to do mine soon lol
14. stevenet15 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2006 aylesbury buckinghamshire Posts: 4822 Astra Turbo, saxo vts, punto turbo

    #14 20th December 2007, 18:18

    i havent had time to do anymore on this guide yet but i will do as soon as i have time and update the pics
15. TU-Tuning Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: May 2006 Bristol Posts: 16575 JP4urio, 306 DTurbo SportShed

    #15 27th March 2008, 13:50

    Any update on this mate? Been getting quite high quotes and wanna try it myself
16. johnnyg_vts Established Member Joined: Dec 2006 Fleetwood Posts: 2244 2002 Saxo VTS

    #16 27th March 2008, 13:51

    looks great, cant wait to see the finished article.
17. stirlinlee L-plater Joined: Apr 2008 Coleraine, Co Londonderry Posts: 68 Red VTR Saxo

    #17 4th April 2008, 15:54

    that guide is is lookin well good sir cheers
18. Cainevtr Regular Poster Joined: May 2008 Posts: 249

    #18 31st May 2008, 13:57

    This looks like its going to come in handy! anyone got and real car pics of it being done?
    
    thanks
19. Cainevtr Regular Poster Joined: May 2008 Posts: 249

    #19 31st May 2008, 14:11

    My bad, i found the links now!
20. stevenet15 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2006 aylesbury buckinghamshire Posts: 4822 Astra Turbo, saxo vts, punto turbo

    #20 3rd June 2008, 16:05

    update added some reference pics in the first post
21. dan1800 Infrequent Poster Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 129

    #21 3rd June 2008, 16:15

    always handy, people could make a fortune out of this, but iv heard they can be really awkward?!
22. Reid Frequent Poster Joined: Apr 2007 Coatbridge Posts: 673 EP3 Civic Type R

    #22 3rd June 2008, 18:32

    not even a trace of wd 40
    Job job mate a mite try that soket method if I need to lower another bar
23. Sparco_Tom Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2007 Aylesbury, Bucks Posts: 12836 Yeaaahh Fiesta

    #23 3rd June 2008, 23:27

    bloody good guide steve did mine last week finally. Thinking about raising the whole car back up now though
24. Y32CPB L-plater Joined: Apr 2008 Gorebridge near Edinburgh Posts: 46 Two-Tone Saxo VTR =D

    #24 13th June 2008, 23:55

    Great guide seen other ones on th internet but this one makes it seem less of a daunting task haha! good one mate!
25. AlexR Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2004 Kunt & Sorrey Posts: 5763 Rep mobiles & Joes ma

    #25 14th June 2008, 08:40

    Is that a clio or R5? I was always intrigued by their system of torsion bars inside beam, anti roll bar outside, certainly makes lowering a lot easier!
26. Elliott Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2008 Yorkshire Posts: 5913 None.

    #26 14th June 2008, 10:37

    someone get it stickied!
27. Ash-VTR Regular Poster Joined: Oct 2007 Bristol Posts: 372 MK2 Posi Blue VTR

    #27 31st July 2008, 22:33

    any more news on the guide?
28. Mint-VTR Established Member Joined: Mar 2008 Sawbridgeworth Posts: 1883 Black VTR, Clio 172. Gaz Coilovers, Stealth Exhaus

    #28 23rd November 2008, 01:37

    as above
29. TU-Tuning Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: May 2006 Bristol Posts: 16575 JP4urio, 306 DTurbo SportShed

    #29 23rd November 2008, 01:46

    the bit in quotes is the guide lads, thats all you need. It makes a lot more sense if you read it and then jack your car up and have a good look at the setup
30. scotty1990saxo Infrequent Poster Joined: Jul 2007 bristol Posts: 180 saxo 1.1 mk1 renault 5 gtt raider

    #30 24th November 2008, 19:00

    nice guide
31. Jtizzle Regular Poster Joined: Nov 2008 Chesterfield Posts: 283 Saxo 1.6 VTR mk2, Civic 1.6 Dohc Sir

    #31 29th November 2008, 11:51

    looks gud
32. stevenet15 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2006 aylesbury buckinghamshire Posts: 4822 Astra Turbo, saxo vts, punto turbo

    #32 14th December 2008, 20:14

    I have shut my dedicated server down today so i have had to transfer the pics from my first post to a photobucket account so that everyone still has access to the guides, can someone just confirm to me if they can see the pics in the first post. cheers
33. dorsetsaxo Established Member Joined: Nov 2008 dorset Posts: 1113 saxo vtr mk1

    #33 14th December 2008, 20:18

    yep sure can its just perfect cheers bud for the hard work
34. Rogz Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2007 Sunderland Posts: 726 Banned.

    #34 14th December 2008, 22:45

    i wouldnt dare try this myself tbh. the state of this saxo's under belly is terrible, i think the mud is holding the rust together... ive had the angle grinder out far to much...
35. Pricklep Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 31279 Citroen Saxo VTS, S60 D5

    #35 30th December 2008, 11:41

    What a great guide
    
    The animation rocks!
36. STEBTECH Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2008 ooow aaar wiltshire Posts: 166 EM1 civic vti

    #36 15th January 2009, 13:29

    Good work lad, hopefuly gunna do mine this weekend so im gunna follow this guide for sure!
37. chip11 L-plater Joined: Feb 2009 Kent Posts: 46 Saxo VTR 1.6 mk2 (52) Posi Blue. Standard atm

    #37 1st March 2009, 20:07

    top job man. if only everyone was as helpful!! cheers dude

    1 user thanked this post: sgeary
38. jam3z Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2008 Chelmsford Posts: 104 Saxo VTR

    #38 9th March 2009, 18:14

    brilliant guide mate, just a shame mine is so seized i cant move the bloody thing.
39. user_28749 Infrequent Poster Joined: Nov 2008 South London. Posts: 232 Citroen Saxo 1100 Desire.

    #39 19th March 2009, 11:14

    does the further you pull it determine how low it goes? And do you measure the distance you pull it out to get the amount of lowering you want?
40. one_nation04 Established Member Joined: Oct 2007 Watford Posts: 1636 2001 VTR ... silver S

    #40 19th March 2009, 12:09

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by justan1100 does the further you pull it determine how low it goes? And do you measure the distance you pull it out to get the amount of lowering you want?

    if your talking about the torsion bars themselves, u need to pull them all the way out, adjust the height, and then slide the bars back in mate

    1 user thanked this post: user_16652
41. user_28749 Infrequent Poster Joined: Nov 2008 South London. Posts: 232 Citroen Saxo 1100 Desire.

    #41 20th March 2009, 20:29

    so how do you adjust the height once the bars are all the way out? this is one thing i havent covered at college lol
42. raunchz Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Solihull / Bournemouth Posts: 14233 2015 Lapiz Blue Golf R

    #42 20th March 2009, 20:47

    you literally move the whole arm up or down by the amount yo uwant to lower/raise it by (normally leaving 5mm for it to settle.
    
    Then you put the bars back in at the height you want.

    1 user thanked this post: user_28749
43. The_Notorious_C_A_T Established Member Joined: May 2007 Near Inverurie (kind of...) Posts: 2303 Twingo Silverstone

    #43 20th March 2009, 20:50

    measure from the arch to the hub, then when you have reset it, measure again and thats how much difference you have lowered/raised

    1 user thanked this post: user_28749
44. user_28749 Infrequent Poster Joined: Nov 2008 South London. Posts: 232 Citroen Saxo 1100 Desire.

    #44 21st March 2009, 11:42

    aaaaa sweet thanks guys.
45. lharrowing Frequent Poster Joined: Nov 2008 norwich Posts: 941 Citroen Saxo Westcoast MK1

    #45 24th March 2009, 18:17

    looks good i love the creativity
46. johnlambert Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Dublin Posts: 4359 Honda S2000

    #46 8th June 2009, 16:16

    great guide
47. Boothy_UK Banned Joined: Sep 2008 bastardville Posts: 860 a cunt for a eye

    #47 12th August 2009, 16:43

    steve, thats just what i needed.
    brilliant, the world is such a better place now =D
    J x
48. wickedrob Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2009 grimsby Posts: 190 saxo vtr x reg 52000 on clock in wicked red

    #48 12th August 2009, 19:55

    looks a good guide need to lower mine its about 3 foot in the air lol
49. noelmx L-plater Joined: Oct 2008 wicklow ireland Posts: 57 Citreon saxo furio 2002

    #49 15th August 2009, 22:53

    nice guide
    going to give this a go tomorow
50. squeak Infrequent Poster Joined: Sep 2009 northamptonshire Posts: 118

    #50 13th September 2009, 08:51

    nice guide i need to raise mine bk up 15mm so ill have ago on tuesday when i not at college or work
51. user_36458 Frequent Poster Joined: Aug 2009 Sheffield Posts: 733 mk2 cammed vts and Audi S3

    #51 3rd March 2010, 20:15

    just a little bump for this thred as its the best lowering guide iv seen good work mate
52. user_40844 Regular Poster Joined: Jan 2010 Lancashire Posts: 418 r.i.p furio..... now a vtr (y)

    #52 3rd March 2010, 22:49

    I asked my tutor today (i do motorsport engineering) who used to work fot pug and did lowering on the 106 wich uses the same suspension as the saxo.... he old me the way they did it at the garage is to dot punch two dots 1) on the bar 2) the same position but on the housing. use the socket and bolt until the head (all the spines are out and there is just the bar in) and turn it until the next spine is lined up with the dot punch, apparently 1 spine is about 1 inch and it doesnt break anythig just woundering
53. DJDannyB Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2008 Stockport Posts: 2687

    #53 3rd March 2010, 22:54

    that wouldnt adjust the height, that would just turn the torsion bar round a spline. you would have to move the arm then put the bar back in to adjust the ride height.
54. willsy West Midlands Joined: Nov 2005 Nuneaton (West Mids) Posts: 13835 '64 Volvo V40 R’Design, '89 Ph1 309 GTi, ‘97 Mk1 S

    #54 3rd March 2010, 22:58

    This method is not fail proof, it wont work on alot of beams thesedays unless you're lucky and unless you know what you're doing.
    
    Theres a serious risk of snapping bolts in the end of the torsion bar using this method if you dont know what you're doing.
    
    The theory is good, but its not fail proof
55. Sophia_Bush Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2007 Shropshire Posts: 9994 Moonstone Blue 106 GTi

    #55 3rd March 2010, 23:15

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by willsy This method is not fail proof, it wont work on alot of beams thesedays unless you're lucky and unless you know what you're doing. Theres a serious risk of snapping bolts in the end of the torsion bar using this method if you dont know what you're doing. The theory is good, but its not fail proof

    tell them how bad mine was even doing it the other way lol
56. user_40844 Regular Poster Joined: Jan 2010 Lancashire Posts: 418 r.i.p furio..... now a vtr (y)

    #56 18th March 2010, 12:11

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by DJDannyB that wouldnt adjust the height, that would just turn the torsion bar round a spline. you would have to move the arm then put the bar back in to adjust the ride height.

    oryte cheers... gunna give this a go when i eventualy get some money
57. user_42401 Established Member Joined: Mar 2010 Cupar Fife Posts: 1712 1600 16v VTS 1600 8v VTR 1400 16v Clio Sport

    #57 18th March 2010, 18:27

    great thread
58. NorfolkunGood L-plater Joined: Feb 2012 norfolk Posts: 82 Blue 2001 VTS for Motorsport

    #58 3rd June 2012, 15:23

    I'm needing to raise mine for off road competitions.
    
    Once the torsion bar is out, the suspension arm will drop. Can I leave it at its lowest point and then re insert the torsion bar to get maximum height?
    
    Presumably I'll just need to jack the arm up a bit to refit the damper and job's a goodun?
59. Conville Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2012 Branston, Lincolnshire Posts: 122 Saxo 1.4 Furio asap

    #59 3rd June 2012, 18:29

    Looking good man!
60. NorfolkunGood L-plater Joined: Feb 2012 norfolk Posts: 82 Blue 2001 VTS for Motorsport

    #60 9th June 2012, 23:07

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NorfolkunGood I'm needing to raise mine for off road competitions. Once the torsion bar is out, the suspension arm will drop. Can I leave it at its lowest point and then re insert the torsion bar to get maximum height? Presumably I'll just need to jack the arm up a bit to refit the damper and job's a goodun?

    Anyone?
61. user_36198 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172

    #61 9th June 2012, 23:29

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NorfolkunGood Anyone?

    theory in that is good but you'll be left with very little downwards articulation on the rear as the shocks will be at close to max travel, longer shocks would be needed i would imagine. be a bit like fitting raised springs on a land rover and running standard length dampers
62. user_19342 Frequent Poster Joined: Nov 2007 westion-super-mare Posts: 526 1999 black mk1 vtr kent cam :( dead New 2001 whit

    #62 11th June 2012, 21:15

    spot on guide buddy but a quick question i tryed this 3 times now and failed every time is ther a nut and washer both ends of the 2 bars (4 nut and washers)? i got the two outter washers out but how the fell do you get the inner nut and washer out do you not need to remove them ?
    
    cheers agen for awsome gide
    
    white11
63. user_36198 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172

    #63 11th June 2012, 21:21

    all 4 bolts have to be removed matey
64. user_19342 Frequent Poster Joined: Nov 2007 westion-super-mare Posts: 526 1999 black mk1 vtr kent cam :( dead New 2001 whit

    #64 11th June 2012, 21:32

    haha that would explane the falure lol whats the easyist way of getting the inner troxs bits i can never get a good grip on them as ther torxs it alwas rounds off the rest of the dissmanteling is fine just cant get to.them any tips??
    cheers for reply
65. user_36198 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172

    #65 11th June 2012, 21:35

    torx 40 on an extension for the drivers side and smack it in with a hammer, get the torsion bar out and that lets the passenger side arm drop making access to the inner bolt on the passenger side much easier
66. user_19342 Frequent Poster Joined: Nov 2007 westion-super-mare Posts: 526 1999 black mk1 vtr kent cam :( dead New 2001 whit

    #66 11th June 2012, 21:46

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mandyslover70 torx 40 on an extension for the drivers side and smack it in with a hammer, get the torsion bar out and that lets the passenger side arm drop making access to the inner bolt on the passenger side much easier

    ooo i get you thanks m8 ill try weekend
67. Nobby71 L-plater Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 31

    #67 22nd February 2013, 11:52

    Once the bar is removed and arm has been moved to the right height does it matter where to bars go back in on is it a case of where ever they fit

    1 user thanked this post: KierenCrawford
68. phodd1719 L-plater Joined: Jan 2014 Hailsham Posts: 47 Citroen Saxo VTR Phase 1

    #68 23rd January 2014, 00:36

    I know I'm digging up an old thread but is it true that the anti roll bar can come flying out and cause lethal damage maybe death? I've heard some crazy stories just want to clear them up before I go near it!
    Cheers
69. KrisB Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2009 Dorking,Surrey,M25 J9 Posts: 2616 Static -80mm Peugeot 405

    #69 23rd January 2014, 15:36

    Only if it's not bolted in properly. Even then it only tends to have an end plate rub on a tyre.
70. user_60153 Regular Poster Joined: Jul 2012 Oxon Posts: 295 MK1 SAXO 1.1i SX-SOLD MK2 TOPAZ VTR-DEAD MK2 POSI

    #70 23rd January 2014, 16:01

    if in doubt take it to someone who knows what there doing like kris for example he dd mine and was a spot on job
71. Brumy_pete Infrequent Poster Joined: Dec 2013 wolverhampton Posts: 122 saxo vtr mk2

    #71 30th January 2014, 21:35

    looks gd mate thinkin of havin a go on mine will be usein your guide
72. Nuno_BA Newbie Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 10

    #72 26th February 2019, 15:46

    Top 👌
    I ill need this guide. Thanks
73. RichSaxoVTR Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2018 Birmingham Posts: 112

    #73 26th February 2019, 19:17

    As most/all garages do not lower them anymore due to torsion bar at rear, unless lucky like my circumstance last year, it's best if you can to do it yourself. Guides come in useful, why forums were invented lol...

    1 user thanked this post: D_redd