How To - adjust decklid torque rod tension (Page 2/4)
edfiero JUL 16, 07:52 AM
Well, a seeming easy repair has turned into a nightmare.
I looked at my car last night and found out that my adjustment pin was in the most forward hole. Perfect. I thought. I can move it rearward and increase the tension on the decklid and solve the problem I've had for at least 20 years.

I used my ratching strap just as describe to pull out the rod and then pulled the pin. However when I put the pin in the new slot the pin apparently did not engage the rod, and/or the rod slipped off my hook as I was releasing the tension on my strap. So now the the 'U' in the torsion rod is sitting too low and will not engage the pin even if I try to get it back in the original hole. I can't find anything to pry against, so I have no way to raise it. I've made the problem worse than when I started.

Anyone have suggestions on how I can the rod to re-enage with the pin? I am guessing I have to take the rod loose on the other side now at the hinge to release the tension on it ????
edfiero JUL 16, 07:42 PM
No dice. Even after disconnecting the other side of the torsion rod from the deck lid, I still can't get it to hook on the pin when I pull it back. The whole "U" part of the rod is too low and too far toward the center of the car. I've tried prying on it but it won't move enough, plus hard to get leverage without tearing something else up. Ideas?
Patrick JUL 16, 09:02 PM
Well, I don't quite understand what the problem is. When the pins are removed, that releases enough tension to actually take the torsion rods out of there (if desired). Take the second pin out and see if that helps.

Post a picture of what you're dealing with.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-16-2015).]

Jason88Notchie JUL 16, 09:12 PM

quote
Originally posted by edfiero:

No dice. Even after disconnecting the other side of the torsion rod from the deck lid, I still can't get it to hook on the pin when I pull it back. The whole "U" part of the rod is too low and too far toward the center of the car. I've tried prying on it but it won't move enough, plus hard to get leverage wit else up. Ideas?



Can you remove the deck lid from the hinge? If so, set something against the glass so the hinges don't pop against the glass. With the deck lid removed, and the tension off you should be able to make your adjustment.
Patrick JUL 16, 09:29 PM

quote
Originally posted by Jason88Notchie:

With the deck lid removed, and the tension off you should be able to make your adjustment.



Jason, what advantage is there to taking the decklid off? The hinges will only go so far with the safety straps intact. As long as the decklid is in a vertical position (which takes tension off the torsion rods), removing the decklid accomplishes nothing here IMO.
Jason88Notchie JUL 16, 09:49 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Jason, what advantage is there to taking the decklid off? The hinges will only go so far with the safety straps intact. As long as the decklid is in a vertical position (which takes tension off the torsion rods), removing the decklid accomplishes nothing here IMO.



With the deck lid off, would that provide more leverage and less tension? I think the torsion bar is bolted in the center of the hinge, and can be removed independently from the hinge and safety strap.
Jason88Notchie JUL 16, 11:43 PM
Can you take some pics of how things are situated?
edfiero JUL 17, 06:33 PM


Here is a picture of the problem. Notice how the 'U' part of the torsion bar is about an inch away from from the bracket. Before I started fooling with this, the path was along that of the white arrow, almost touching the bracket.

When I pull the bar outward with the ropes, the condition gets worse. What you can't see because its inside that area that I'm calling the bracket, is that part of the 'U' which is suppose to engage the pin does not because it is sitting below where it would hook on the pin. So I can put the pin in the hole but because its not touching the bar, I can pull it back out with my fingers after releasing the ropes and of course the bar provides no support to the lid.

Hopefully this is clear.
I understand I may need to remove the deck lid, but am just looking for confirmation that is going to get me to where I need to be.

[This message has been edited by edfiero (edited 07-17-2015).]

Patrick JUL 17, 06:53 PM

quote
Originally posted by edfiero:

When I pull the bar outward with the ropes, the condition gets worse.



I've been able to release the tension and move the pins using nothing but a piece of rope and a three foot length of 2x4, so I don't know what exactly is going on there. I suspect the one torsion bar has come out of position and needs to be put back, probably by pulling the end of the rod away from the firewall and up. I'll have a look at one of my Fieros today to refresh my memory how this all works.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-17-2015).]

Jason88Notchie JUL 17, 10:52 PM
Remove the upper and lower bolts to remove the deck lid. Place something against the glass so if the bar springs it wont break the glass. Remove the center torx bolt. You will need a special socket for that. That should free up all tension and make adjustment very easy.