I cant get the torsion bars to budge. I took all the bolts out of the x-member and ive been pounding the crap out of them from the front. Also, the x-member looks like its been hit by a big rock and its bent pretty bad at the drivers side key. I have tried a wrecking bar and a 2000lb tow strap to straighten in but i just cant do it by hand. Any ideas guys?

To compound the issue, my 2.5Ton jack just exploded and slammed the truck to the ground, thankfully i wasnt under it at the time. Im heading out to get a new jack and a small portable torch to see if that will work.

Oh, my truck is a 98 f150 ex-cab 4x4 flareside, canada truck. almost no rust.

 

jack, torch and impact gun are the right way to go... ALWAYS put a block or solid stand under the frame when working under truck. Dont relly on the hydraulics to hold.

 

Got a line on a full heavy duty torch, ill be going to look at it tomorrow morning. The whole setup of oxy/acet for $200. Got jack stands and a new 3 ton jack tonight. I dont have an impact gun.. What would i need that for? I already have all the bolts out.. Thanks for the tip

 

When I changed my keys I used a air chisel and popped the keys right off the ends of the torsion bars. I tried pullers, hammers and nothing worked. Air chisel vibrated them right off. Good luck!

 

Thanks, i gave up for now, i just cranked up the factory ones all the way and it leveled it all out. Ill get add-a-leafs for the back and then swap the keys for the 1"-3" kit. I will have to change the cross member at the same time because its trash. I appreciate everyones help.

 

If you cranked them all the way up the front end will be really tight. I did that in my 02 I had. It trashed the ball joints and the cv shafts boots split. You will definatley want to get it aligned. Will most likely need camber kits to make alignment possible. Maybe not though. Good luck with everything!

 

Thanks for the advice, i will have it aligned soon. I still have a little play left in them, i only leveled the truck out. i need to get that new x-member before i align it tho, then after i get that ill put the new torsion keys in it and get everything done the right way, right now im only driving it 100-150 miles a month