Installing lift keys

[dubfreaks]

Got a pair of ebay keys we tried installing today. We couldn't get them all the way up to slide the spacer in. We were thinking they are hexed wrong. Could this be because we were attempting this with the Truck on the lift? Should it be on the ground to release some tension on the bar? If anybody's had this issue what was your solution, or did I just get a set of ****** keys and should step up and spend more...

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[MadDogDelpho]

You need a tool to pull they keys up high enough so that you can get the spacer and bolt in. It also helps if the truck is jacked up, not resting on its wheels. I'm assuming by the spacer you're talking about the bit that you thread the bolt through, right?

 

[M1Gunner]

Autozone - torsion bar unloading tool, part number 27278; it's a free loaner tool.

How you were able to remove the stock keys with out one of those tools is beyond me.

 

[dubfreaks]

Yes. Key won't get anywhere close to where it needs to be for that bit. I've used the same tool on plenty of trucks I've lifted and never had this problem.

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[MadDogDelpho]

A picture would probably help a lot, not to be a smart ass

 

[BigDaddy13440]

A picture would probably help a lot, not to be a smart ass

Agreed. I know it'd be a pain, but could you take out the lift key, and take a pic of it compard to your original key?

My keys are LIFT keys for a 98-02 Ford Expedition, they are indexed further than GM lift keys.
So much more, in fact, that the passenger side key bolt isn't adding any load at all, and I'm at 3" of lift. And I didn't have a problem with installing them with the correct tool.

 

[M1Gunner]

The bars are supposed to be preloaded with torque BEFORE you can even install the torsion bar support nut and bolt. So how y'all are installing torsion bars without any preload tool is beyond me. Y'all just David Blaine'd that shit I guess.

 

[MadDogDelpho]

"What the F?!"

 

[CamReynolds]

Agreed. I know it'd be a pain, but could you take out the lift key, and take a pic of it compard to your original key?

My keys are LIFT keys for a 98-02 Ford Expedition, they are indexed further than GM lift keys.
So much more, in fact, that the passenger side key bolt isn't adding any load at all, and I'm at 3" of lift. And I didn't have a problem with installing them with the correct tool.

you have ford keys, cranked 3 inches, and they arent even maxed out?

 

[BigDaddy13440]

you have ford keys, cranked 3 inches, and they arent even maxed out?

No, I have Ford re-indexed keys, and they aren't cranked AT ALL on the passenger side, and I'm at 3" of lift. IF I were to crank them all the way up, to the point that the ball joints were about to pop apart, it'd be close to 4 1/2 - 5" of lift (the ball joints end up being the limiting factor, as I'd trimmed off the UCA bumpstops).
I know this because I "just had to try it" on my Suburban that was t-*****. While I was taking the rear springs and spacers and shocks off, I had the front end up on a jack, and thought "what the hell?". Doing so also brought the wheels inward over 1" from stock, narrowing the track width, and would obviously play havoc with alignment

This pic shows the amount that the Ford indexed key (top) is different than a stock Chevy key (bottom).