GMT400 K2500, can you get the lower control arm off without removing the torsion bar?

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Beady

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Or perhaps the question is, 1993 k2500, how do you remove the lower control arm?

I have everything off down to the control arm hanging off the torsion bar. Torsion key fully backed off, bar and arm move around. I can’t move the bar backwards because the hole in the crossmember isn’t large enough. I can’t get the control arm down enough to get free of the inner control arm mounting tabs because of the torsion bar. I can’t drive the bar forward because there’s another, tall, riveted in crossmember inches behind the one with the key.

Truck hit a wall and destroyed suspension on one side and pushed the front rail over. I have replacement upper and lower arms, and tie rod. I just need it to be able to move about 100 yards to the tree line until I pull the drivetrain later.

Truck is on dollies and really close to the wall of my shop on the other side, so it will be a pita to get other side up and remove torsion bar crossmember.

Truck will never run again, I’ve contemplated using a grinder to cut the torsion bar. I plan on just putting a section of black iron pipe where the shock was (holes drilled same length apart as shock eyes) to support the truck on that corner while it drives over to the tree line, so no loss to destroy the torsion bar.

Thanks for any help/thoughts.
 

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scott2093

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I can’t move the bar backwards because the hole in the crossmember isn’t large enough
I was able to take a long extension and sledge from behind that second crossmember and pound the torsion bar out of the key from this hole you speak of.
Jacking the lower control arm to where it's level with the back where you're pounding can help.

Someone had issues before and Schurkey recommended pulling the control arm off with a press or something. Will try to find the thread if nobody has it handy

-----just saw you're trashing everything so maybe there are better ways....
 

Beady

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I was able to take a long extension and sledge from behind that second crossmember and pound the torsion bar out of the key from this hole you speak of.
Jacking the lower control arm to where it's level with the back where you're pounding can help.

Someone had issues before and Schurkey recommended pulling the control arm off with a press or something. Will try to find the thread if nobody has it handy

-----just saw you're trashing everything so maybe there are better ways....
That crossmember right behind it is tall, like 5-6”. Pics I’ve seen online have all had more flat crossmembers there.

I can get a small diameter bar on the end of the torsion bar, but it’s at like a 45 degree angle because of the rear crossmember. So either can’t get much energy with my hammer blows, or the bar just glances off the end.
 

Jrgunn5150

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Grinder, 100%, they're tough AF, burned up two blades goofing around with my Toyota, grinder did it in a minute
 

Beady

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Grinder, 100%, they're tough AF, burned up two blades goofing around with my Toyota, grinder did it in a minute
Cool, thanks. I should have just had someone come weld the mangled and broken arms, ball joint mount, etc. back together. With everything bent and the frame tweaked it’s been s huge PITA just to get it apart. 20-20 hindsight, lol.
 

scott2093

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That crossmember right behind it is tall, like 5-6”. Pics I’ve seen online have all had more flat crossmembers there.
Interesting...Yeah mine isn't that tall. Maybe a bit shorter than the torsion key crossmember actually....
sorry about your loss...
 

Schurkey

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Two-jaw puller, put the jaws on the control arm, and the pressure screw on the torsion bar.

I have not done this. I read about it and saw photos on this web site.
 

clalonde

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I just replaced the bushings in my lower control arm on a 1999 k2500. I was able to wiggle it off the torsion bar once the tension was off the bar. When I unloaded the torsion bar i removed the little piece of metal the bolt went up into. I couldn't get the bar out of the key due to rust so was considering unbolting the cross member the key is in and sliding the whole thing back.
 
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