Adjust Trunk Tension?

[capt512]

So after reading the thread about hood being hard to open, it made me think of the fact that my trunk lid won't support itself hardly. I plan to buy the new struts for the hood (as I'm about 99% sure thats the issue), however the trunk lid won't hold itself up in any position but all the way open...and even then it still seems to think about closing...anything below all the way open and it comes right down.

I am in and out of my trunk about 4 times a day to get stuff for work in and out and find it tiring the trunk not staying up. I don't have a spoiler on the lid...if I did it would definetly never stay up...if it even opened.

Seeing as how the trunk lid uses tension bars its not just as easy as replacing some struts... Last I knew adjusting the tension bars was supposedly a near life altering event as they were so tough to do... Has anyone made a tool to do so...or any other suggestions?

[Spectragod]

Steck used to make a tool for that operation, they don't list it anymore though.

[massacre]

Pretty sure over time the torsion bars can lose some strength. Replacing them might do the trick, not sure adjusting them will help much, since it seems the bars have lost their strength.

[1stMerc]

I'd be interested in a solution as well.

[thathotrodlincn]

I have used an 18" pipe wrench, closed to the point it will just fit the end of the torsion bar. A 24" long 1/8" IPS pipe with a 90 Deg elbow on the end also often works. Make sure the deck lid is fully open while working on the bar. I thing that the right (passeger) side is easier then the left. Good luck, and wateh the fingers.

[Blackened300a]

I heard using a serpentine belt around the bar and using 2 guys to pull will make it happen. I been meaning to adjust mine, but never got around to it yet.

[fastblackmerc]

You can use large open end / closed end wrenches. Also can use a deep socket and large ratchet / breaker bar.

Here are instructions and a diagram for a homemade tool.

http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2270108

Beware......

You can be seriously injured.

You will need an assistant to hold the trunk lid up.... once you release the torsion bar the lid will come crashing down.

[massacre]

A torsion bar is like a spring. It gives up its life by twisting. After a certain amount of twisting you can relocate where the twisting occurs to try and buy more life (like shimming a spring) but eventually it will give out.
It will solve the symptom but not the problem.
It will def buy you some time but for someone who is in and out of the trunk as much as you, I would eventually just replace the bars at some point.

[FordNut]

It's common to need to readjust them to when a spoiler is installed. The extra weight, and the fact that it is at the back edge of the trunk lid which gives it more leverage, plus the added weight of a decklid liner forced me to adjust my springs to the tightest notch. They come from the factory set to the weakest adjustment. You can probably go to the middle setting, and maybe only have to do it on one side in order to get enough tension for your setup.

[Zim Hosein]

You can use large open end / closed end wrenches. Also can use a deep socket and large ratchet / breaker bar.

Here are instructions and a diagram for a homemade tool.

Beware......

You can be seriously injured.

You will need an assistant to hold the trunk lid up.... once you release the torsion bar the lid will come crashing down.

Did you forget to post a link for the instructions/diagram fastblackmerc? :confused: fastblackmerc