Sorry to be a nuisance
Engine is coming out this week as I have taken delivery of my engine hoist, I would like to remove the front suspension unit but am a little worried about the torsion bars, what is the best way to do this, with wheels off the ground fully so bars are not under strain?
Do I need to mark each bar to replace in exactly the same place
Thank you, i dont have any type of manual yet and am winging it

I don’t think posting a question can be classed as being a nuisance. That is what a forum is about.

I can’t give you an answer, but at least there’s some attention on the subject again. 

I can’t help you here and now, since I’ve never done this kind of operation to my Trax (yet). I am willing to look it up in the manual I have at home. Not sure if I’ll make it today, since I’ll be working tonight as well. But if you’re still in the dark by tomorrownight, just let met know.

Thank you

You’re welcome, or wasn’t that for me? 

Of course it was for you too!

Greeney,

I’ve been looking at my manual and this is what I understood. To take off the complete front end first put the car on stands and take off the wheels. Then loosen the steering rods, brakelines and driveshafts (since you’re takin’ out the engine first, that would have been done allready). Loosen the four large nuts on the forward facing bolts that hold the front axle. Next take off the wings and wingholders, which are mounted with the same bolts as the front axle. Now there should be a little bolt in the head of the torsion bars at the front. Take these out, they should be sunk in the head of the torsion bars. After this, you should be able to pry of the front axle with the means of a crow bar of some sort.

According to my manual the torsion bars can either stay in place on the car, or come off with the front end. There is no need to mark them (exept there should be paintmarks on the bars, one for the right, two for the left), since putting them under strain is something of an adjustment when re-installing. It might be a lot easier if you’d have your own manual by then, since it’s not that easy to translate all of this into english without havin’ excecuted the whole operation myself.

I hope my explanation was clear enough, if not let me know and I’ll try again

I DO hope he’ll understand, since I don’t want to end up eating poor little, pale yellow, fluffy goose…. 

I understand completely, I am good like that  
It is very clear thank you, I wanted to make sure mostly that with the wheels off the ground I could remove the unit without the bars going ‘twang’
You mention that when they go back on they need adjusting too I dont know how to do this but will try and get a manual
The goose, I am afraid is being ‘offed” for new year after the garage st marien crew have returned home   Just for the record it stands about 2ft high now and is not yellow and fluffy

Greeney schreef:

I understand completely, I am good like that  
It is very clear thank you, I wanted to make sure mostly that with the wheels off the ground I could remove the unit without the bars going ‘twang’
You mention that when they go back on they need adjusting too I dont know how to do this but will try and get a manual
The goose, I am afraid is being ‘offed” for new year after the garage st marien crew have returned home   Just for the record it stands about 2ft high now and is not yellow and fluffy

Hmm if only I wouldn’t be of to the czech republic by then, I would happily help you taste its fluffynes

Back to the remounting of your front axle. I suppose you won’t be doin’ that straightaway. I could always try and understand the manual by that time

These manuals are not widely available on Ebay and that sort of sites. But on any oldtimer meeting there’s loads of them. I do understand, that if I am in Holland at the time, there is a show end of the month in Belgium where we all might be. If so, we can have a look for you.

Oh that sounds good I would be very grateful thank you, I thought you were going to bed?

Yes, yes, straight away.
If you pluck that goose….
save the feathers for my duvet. 

I suppose we’re lookin’ for an english manual?

I can read French too so either will do and I have Dutch neighbours so could get by even with a Dutch one

The dutch one is for sale at the ta specialists here in Holland…