Do torsion bars wear out?

[bgiff]

When i backed out the tosion adjusting bolt, the keeper key was already loose. I didnt hardly need the unloader tool as just a couple turns by hand on the tool gave me clearance to remove the keeper.

Also, it appears the bar might have a slight bend to it. All the gm parts places say the part is discontinued. Anyway, I suspect now that the vehicle may have suffered some abuse from one of my boys years ago. (theyre grown now and I have had the truck in storage for 10 years) Also, the main skid plate has some damage (bent rear bolts, and denred pretty good, difficult to reinstall as holes dont line up)

Is junkyard the only option for replacing tosion bars? This is a 2500 with z85 option and 8600 gvw so it needs HD bars

 

[Marky Dissod]

Here is part of a torsion bar chart batboy found Dec 2017.

my torsion bar adventure - PerformanceTrucks.net Forums

GM Drivetrain & Suspension - my torsion bar adventure - I've owned a 2006 Tahoe 4WD for almost 6 years now and love it. But, I never cared for the tires, they were something called Wildcat A/T Radial (255/70R16). I wanted a couple sizes larger, but could not initially justify getting new one...

www.performancetrucks.net

Added to the list from this post

https://www.performancetrucks.net/f...rformance-21/torsion-bars-180259/#post1440904

Hopefully you find this list helpful.
15048307-LH (6XK) & 15048308-RH (7XK) (Max torque 4553)
15048309-LH (6XL) & 15048310-RH (7XL) (Max torque 4626)
15712407-LH (6WX) & 15712408-RH (7WX) (Max torque 4863)

15048311-LH (6XM) & 15048312-RH (7XM) (Max torque 5638)
15712407-LH (6WX) & 15712408-RH (7WX) (Max torque 5826)
15528955-LH (6GF) & 15528956-RH (7GF) (Max torque 5826)
15058267-LH (6YH) & 15058268-RH (7YH) (Max torque 5913)
15712409-LH (6WY) & 15712410-RH (7WY) (Max torque 5913)

15528957-LH (6GG) & 15528958-RH (7GG) (Max torque 6709)
15528959-LH (6GH) & 15528960-RH (7GH) (Max torque 7161)
15712411-LH (6WZ) & 15712412-RH (7WZ) (Max torque 7267)

15528963-LH (6GK) & 15528964-RH (7GK) (Max torque 8615)
15528965-LH (6GL) & 15528966-RH (7GL) (Max torque 8782)
15732338-LH (6XG) & 15732339-RH (7XG) (Max torque 9054)

If anyone has more to add to this list, PLEASE DO!

 

[Fless]

Here is part of a torsion bar chart batboy found Dec 2017.

my torsion bar adventure - PerformanceTrucks.net Forums

GM Drivetrain & Suspension - my torsion bar adventure - I've owned a 2006 Tahoe 4WD for almost 6 years now and love it. But, I never cared for the tires, they were something called Wildcat A/T Radial (255/70R16). I wanted a couple sizes larger, but could not initially justify getting new one...

www.performancetrucks.net

Added to the list from this post

https://www.performancetrucks.net/f...rformance-21/torsion-bars-180259/#post1440904

Hopefully you find this list helpful.
15048307-LH (6XK) & 15048308-RH (7XK) (Max torque 4553)
15048309-LH (6XL) & 15048310-RH (7XL) (Max torque 4626)
15712407-LH (6WX) & 15712408-RH (7WX) (Max torque 4863)

15048311-LH (6XM) & 15048312-RH (7XM) (Max torque 5638)
15712407-LH (6WX) & 15712408-RH (7WX) (Max torque 5826)
15528955-LH (6GF) & 15528956-RH (7GF) (Max torque 5826)
15058267-LH (6YH) & 15058268-RH (7YH) (Max torque 5913)
15712409-LH (6WY) & 15712410-RH (7WY) (Max torque 5913)

15528957-LH (6GG) & 15528958-RH (7GG) (Max torque 6709)
15528959-LH (6GH) & 15528960-RH (7GH) (Max torque 7161)
15712411-LH (6WZ) & 15712412-RH (7WZ) (Max torque 7267)

15528963-LH (6GK) & 15528964-RH (7GK) (Max torque 8615)
15528965-LH (6GL) & 15528966-RH (7GL) (Max torque 8782)
15732338-LH (6XG) & 15732339-RH (7XG) (Max torque 9054)

If anyone has more to add to this list, PLEASE DO!

Not that it matters to anyone but me, my '04 Tahoe LT has the first line item (6XK & 7XK) for RPO codes. Lowest Max torque on that listing.

I wonder if that has to do with the short body, or the Premium Smooth Ride.

 

[Roilux]

Not that it matters to anyone but me, my '04 Tahoe LT has the first line item (6XK & 7XK) for RPO codes. Lowest Max torque on that listing.

I wonder if that has to do with the short body, or the Premium Smooth Ride.

I've a '04 Tahoe LT also with premium smooth ride. My codes differ as 6XN and 7XN. I've not found a source anywhere that lists max torque for those codes.

 

[Marky Dissod]

My codes differ as 6XN and 7XN. I've not found a source anywhere that lists max torque for those codes.

Mentioned that it is a PARTIAL list - please feel free to add to it if you find pertinent missing data.
Plug your VIN into GM Part's Giant's VIN Decoder

Free GM Vin Decoder | GMPartsGiant

Free GM VIN Decoder - Do a VIN lookup to acquire specific car information. Ordering exact-fit parts has never been this smooth and hassle-free on GMPartsGiant!

www.gmpartsgiant.com

it'll be interesting to see what comes up to replace those 'ostensibly obsolete' parts.

 

[strutaeng]

When i backed out the tosion adjusting bolt, the keeper key was already loose. I didnt hardly need the unloader tool as just a couple turns by hand on the tool gave me clearance to remove the keeper.

Also, it appears the bar might have a slight bend to it. All the gm parts places say the part is discontinued. Anyway, I suspect now that the vehicle may have suffered some abuse from one of my boys years ago. (theyre grown now and I have had the truck in storage for 10 years) Also, the main skid plate has some damage (bent rear bolts, and denred pretty good, difficult to reinstall as holes dont line up)

Is junkyard the only option for replacing tosion bars? This is a 2500 with z85 option and 8600 gvw so it needs HD bars

Do they wear out? IDK. My truck has almost 300k and they still work just fine.

But if they are bent, then that's a problem. Sounds like they took the truck rock climbing.

The Z85 towing package was some wiring harness and other stuff, nothing suspension related that I can recall. Just stick with the GVWR of 8600 lb (2500 Suburban, I think 2wd or 4x4 may not matter, IDK on that?). Also, compare part numbers with the Avalanche 2500 and pickup trucks that are 2500 or 2500HD. Those were GVWR of 8600 lb and 9200 lb, respectively. I've never wondered if they are dimensionally the same as the Suburbans. But if they are the same parts, then that will help widen chances of finding replacements. I'd be hitting the wrecking yards.

 

[NardDog]

I asked the suspension shop this question just last week and as he squinted his eyes he said “maybe but not much” . Which to me means either - I dont know or No one can ever know.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Of course springs wear out, don't matter if they're coils or torsion bars. Thankfully they wear out VERY SLOWLY.
Spring pockets / torsion bar sockets likely wear out more quickly than the springs / torsion bars themselves.