Anyone ever strip a torsion bar anchor bolt?

I tried raising the torsion bars yesterday to help level out the truck and fit the 35's a little better.
I got the passenger side perfect, then had a major issue with the driver side..
Apparently after I adjusted the torsion bar bolt to the ideal height, I lowered the jack and heard a loud pop.
And the truck was on a pretty good angle.
I looked under the truck.
The torsion bar itself looks fine, the adjuster popped down to where it was before I adjusted it.

So do you think that the adjuster bolt is stripped or maybe out of threads?

I've never replaced mine before, in over 5 years of owning/modifying/wheeling the truck.
So this has me wondering, what happens if this popped while on the trail?
How much of a pain in the ass is it to swap out?

Anyone have any info on this?

I'm probably going to hit Nissan on my way to work tomorrow and pick up a new bolt even if mine turns out to be fine.

Thanks!

Ken, you should be able to visually ascertain wether the bolt itself has stripped. My guess is no.
I think it's the anchor (front of truck) which has stripped. I've seen it on 3 trucks in AZ and a few more here on XOC.
It's a setback but no big deal. A block of wood or a rock can be placed between the UCA and bumpstop to keep the fender off the tire until safety. From there, it's just like re-indexing your T-bar. You'd simply remove the offending piece and re-install with your spare. You do carry a spare.. Don't you?

Thanks Dan.
I really believe that it is the adjuster bolt itself.
I loosened up the jamb nut a bit and started tightening the anchor bolt. I had about half of an inch between the jamb nut and the bottom nut after I adjusted it to the correct height.
After the suspension popped, the jamb nut was tight against the bottom nut, like I didnt adjust it at all.

I'll pull the bolt tomorrow and see what the deal is..

The Body lift is in, I bought a set of 35x12.5 Goodyear MT/Rs and have them on the truck. I just needed to adjust the front a little before the major trimming and this happens..
Pretty damn annoying.

Thanks again..

Niiice I can't remember.. You got gears big enough to turn those things?

So that would be 35's with I'm assuming a 3" SL and 3" body or 2" body?

I'm still contemplaiting whether I can fit 305/70/16s with a PML and a 2" body. I'm fine with trimming, but not excessive trimming.

Sorry, back on topic.

Thanks! I have the stock 4.63 gears, but the Calmini T-case gears will definitely help. That and the 5 speed helps a bit too.

I am running a 3" SLR suspension lift and a 2" body lift. Those and a good amount of trimming will fit 35's.

I just have to fix these issues, then I can't wait to get the truck on the trails again.

I have had the bolt itself strip out. Easy enough to replace.

Thanks Brad.
After searching through the archives I saw that you asked for the part number on the bolt, and had the same problem with it stripping.

Thanks for the reply.

was it the bolt?

I'll find out tomorrow when I pull everything apart after work.
This morning I bought the replacement bolt for $9.95 locally.. fun..
I hope it's somewhat easy to remove.
Thanks.

Ken,

You've got to post some pictures. I realize that the next step is up to 35's. I'll have to add the body lift and likely trim more metal.

I found that the rear wheelwell on a 2000 fits a 33x10.50 aired down perfectly. On Blanca, I noticed a squeaking as the tire stuffed into the plastic......oooo, a tight fit.

Todd

Hey Todd.
Here are the pix right after mounting them up. I'm in the process of raising up the t-bars a bit since I have a ton room in the adjusters still.
And I havent started the sheet metal trimming to prevent the rubbing. Although the front sheet metal was trimmed a bit before when I was running 285-75r16's (33x11.5's) on non-stock rims.

I'll post some pix after the torsion bar adjustment and fix, and of the trimming required.
These tires will not rub after I finish, provided there is any sheet metal left on the truck.

Alrighty.. I changed it out this morning.
I'll post a picture of the bolt later.

The bolt is destroyed. It was rusted badly in three spots as well as stripped.
I'm really surprised that it didnt let loose sooner.

I will be buying another bolt to replace the passenger side as well. This bolt was definitely a good indication of how the other one is holding up, pretty badly.

Thanks all.

Overall of the pretty torn up bolt


One of the pretty badly stripped areas

oh, the humanity....