I replaced the torsion bar in my tailgate this weekend without too much trouble and only a mild case of tetanus from cutting my hand on rusty talgate parts. Now when I open my tailgate, the torsion bar keeps it so tight that the taligate doesn't sit flat against the bumper anymore and actually sits up a few inches. Will this go down with time as the torsion bar gets broken in or did I do something wrong? Thanks.

 

It'll go down over time, mine does the same, but dam it only takes a fingure to close it.

 

Yep. Is everything back inside your tailgate yet? I have found that a new torsion bar will just barely hold the completed tailgate up off the bumper IF everything including the window, regulator, weatherstripping, and brushed aluminum cover are all in place. Any LESS equipment installed in the gate with a new bar and the bar will hold even more than if the gate is fully loaded.

 

It will relax and work fine. Just give it some time and all will be well.

 

Do all years have a torsion bar in the tailgate? I've never heard of that! My 1987's tailgate is quite heavy to close so I'm guessing if it has one, it's shot!

 

I didn't remove anything to install it, so everything is there. Thanks for the advice. It sure is nice not to have to millitary press that heavy beast now!

 

I had to cut mine out on my 93 beccause it broke the window when I was lowering it. I hope it doesnt cause any problems.

 

How did yours break the glass? I definitely don't want that to happen, but I don't see how it could unless it was somehow pulled out of the metal seat on the drivers side.

 

Torsion bar? I dont even think my 88 has one. I just got used to how hard it is to close it.

 

That is how mine was, too. They will rust off and stop working. You probably have one that has just broken in at least one place and lost it's effectiveness.

 

I glad Im not the only one to break my window with that darn Torsion bar.
Wakeboarder my tail gate on the one I broke was so rusty it pulled off the bottom of the tail gate when glass was down SMASH !

 

MinnMan,

You certainly are not alone there. I had the same thing happen with GS.

 

Is there anything I can do to make sure that isn't going to happen to mine? I would hate to have to replace the glass after just fixing the torsion bar.

 

Rust proof the inside by pouring in something like LPS or other. Install large washer under the 2 bolts that hold the bar in place, this will make it much harder to pull through.

 

The 2 bolts that hold the bar in place? You mean the bolts that hold the bracket that mounts the bar to the passenger side of the truck?