Trunk lid torsion bar adjustment

[GordonB]

Help!
Need to adjust the trunk lid torsion bars to handle the increased weight of the trunk lid liner. Have installed 2 lids and am worried about decapitating me and my wife! Can anyone tell me how to adjust the bars? Appreciate it.
Thanks,
GordonB :help:

[David Morton]

I think there's a special tool for this job but it's not that dangerous with a 12" crescent wrench and a pair of pliers. Just add one notch to one side and see if that's enough, then add one to the other if you need more oomph, and so on.

[Rider90]

Take all the stuff out of your trunk and hop in. Bring a flash light, a pry bar, and put something over the latch, say, a towel? Something thick so the trunk doesn't close carrying it's owner. I know we have those "Oh Shi!t I'm Locked In A Trunk" handles, but ya never know and I'm not about to risk it. Now those bars are much easier to move, but it'll still take some elbow grease depending on how fast you want the lid to open.

Good Luck

[GordonB]

Jason and David,
Thank you for both of your suggestions. I'll try them shortly and report back.
GordonB

[MENINBLK]

Take all the stuff out of your trunk and hop in. Bring a flash light, a pry bar, and put something over the latch, say, a towel? Something thick so the trunk doesn't close carrying it's owner. I know we have those "Oh Shi!t I'm Locked In A Trunk" handles, but ya never know and I'm not about to risk it. Now those bars are much easier to move, but it'll still take some elbow grease depending on how fast you want the lid to open.

Good Luck

What makes you think the bars are easier to move when the trunk is closed ??
The Torsion bars act as a counterbalance for the trunk lid so it stays open.

So if they are under tension when the trunk is open,
what makes you think they aren't when the trunk is closed?
How else would you be able to lift the trunk lid with just a finger?

When the trunk is closed, that's when the greatest amount of torsion is on the bars.

[David Morton]

MENINBLK is right, do it with the lid all the way up. Just watch out for it to want to come down when you take the tension off one of the rods.

[Rider90]

I guess my brain is getting dusty. I did this on my 99 CVPI a couple years ago, oh well, best of luck with the change and keep us posted.

[wchain]

IIRC Carfixer Recommended an Old Serpentine Belt to do the job.

[the_pack_rat]

IIRC Carfixer Recommended an Old Serpentine Belt to do the job. I had a problem with my lid wanting to chop my head off on windy days after the spoiler was put on.

The old belt trick was EXACTLY what Claude(carfixer) did when he adjusted mine.

[MENINBLK]

IIRC Carfixer Recommended an Old Serpentine Belt to do the job.
And what goes on the other end of the belt, a mule ?

Someone has to have a TOOL for this.
The last thing I want to do is drive up to St. Thomas and steal it.

[the_pack_rat]

And what goes on the other end of the belt, a mule ?
It will certainly give you a good workout without a doubt.

[frdwrnch]

The best way I've found to adjust trunk torsion springs is to take a 10 or 11mm deep socket on a 6" extension (3/8" drive) and slip it over the end and CAREFULLY move the rod to the next notch. Sometimes you may have to adjust both sides. This setup will not twist like a wrench will.

[MENINBLK]

The best way I've found to adjust trunk torsion springs is to take a 10 or 11mm deep socket on a 6" extension (3/8" drive) and slip it over the end and CAREFULLY move the rod to the next notch. Sometimes you may have to adjust both sides. This setup will not twist like a wrench will.

This I am willing to try.
I can do it with either a breaker bar, or a socket wrench I have
that locks onto the socket.

[frdwrnch]

You're right, I stand corrected. There is not enought clearance to the trunk floor w/ the extension but i just tried it w/ a ratchet and a 10mm deep scoket and it worked.