I need help with rear trunk torsion bar, How do I get the bar behind the roller? Options

[Doug Leggins]

The teener kicked my ass tonight! I simply wore myself out trying to get the rear trunk torsion bar behind the trunk roller.

I searched for as much info as I cold find before beginning this task. I modified my 12" adjustable wrench as mentioned on other threads on this topic. This tool proved to be a very good lever for pushing the torsion bar back. I could get the torsion bar pushed/twisted back well enough but I could not get it around the hinge roller/pin. I tried several times but could not find a way to get the roller behind the pin on the hinge.

I tried to remove the hinge then hold the torsion bar back as far as I could and then reinstall the hinge -This is the task the wore me out! No matter how or what I tried I could not find a way to get the bar behind the roller.

Anyone know the secret/technique to get the torsion bar in place?

Here is a pic of the wrench with a notch cut out on the end.

[Doug Leggins]

I thought about the shock kits, even had it on the long list of things to buy. But, for some reason i have been compelled to use the stock set up on the rear trunk (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/confused24.gif) . The engineering mind set just kinda wants to see how well this set up works when in good condition and properly maintained. This set up is kind of intriguing to me. Although much less so now that I have tried to install it (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif) .

Joe - Do you use the extension and socket to maneuver the bar around the roller and pin?

Air_Cooled_Nut - The modified 12" adjustable wrench works very well to move the torsion bar forward and back. I think that it would work very well to relieve the tension enough to slide off the plastic roller and then slide on the brass roller.

Anyone else with a good idea on a way to get the torsion bar behind the roller?

Thanks