How To: Torsion Bar Replacement and Poly Bushings 2wd Trucks

Forum for the Xterra, Frontier and Hardbody, the smaller workhorses of the Nissan lineup!
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Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

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osegundo
Posts: 101
Joined: Sat Jul 02, 2011 6:49 pm
Car: 1989 2.4L Nissan D21 4x4
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

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Would this be the same for 4wd??

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Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

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In a lot of instances, yes. There will be a few extra steps because of the added equipment associated with 4wd but the basic principles are the same.

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osegundo
Posts: 101
Joined: Sat Jul 02, 2011 6:49 pm
Car: 1989 2.4L Nissan D21 4x4
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

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Ok.. this would be a nice upgrade/restore cuz all my bushings are old and deteriorating!!! Oh plus I really need new shocks!!!

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Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

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Shocks are easy on both the 2wd and the 4wd. I am running KYB Gas-A-Just on both my D21 and D22, they ride nice. Depending on which way you go the sky is the limit when it comes to shocks.

holytoast
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2012 4:26 am
Car: 1998 Frontier, 4WD, 4 cylinder, 5 speed,
Location: Springfield MO

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Do you know anything about re-indexing torsion bars, is this possible on my truck?
Thanks,
JAH

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Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

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It is possible on both of your trucks. It's the same process of removing the bar anchors and turning them how ever many teeth needed to get more bar adjustment. It requires slipping the anchors off the ends of the bars and reinstalling them in a different clock position.

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s13sickboi
Posts: 394
Joined: Sat May 08, 2010 1:50 pm
Car: 1997 Nissan Hardbody XE
Location: DFW TX ftw

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Very nice writeup Rev! Thanks! :)

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jp2code
Posts: 45
Joined: Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:00 pm
Car: 1994 2wd D21 Hardbody, Longbed, V6
2001 2wd Automatic Xterra SE
2004 Sentra
Location: Longview, TX [USA]
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Good post!

I'm about to replace the Upper and Lower ball joints.

Should I be replacing other items (like control arm bushings, etc) while I'm in there?

I've read that some people recommend renting/borrowing a Ball Joint Press (BJP) from the local auto parts store. Would a BJP eliminate the need for the special tool and drilling out the bushings that you had to do?

Viking2718
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2015 7:15 am
Car: 1995 Nissan SE V6 4x4

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I realize you posted this a couple of years ago. I'm looking to do the same and noticed that most of the pictures you posted now have broken links. Any way to repost with the pictures? They are very helpful.

TIA.

rolandtheeld
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2016 5:09 pm
Car: 1993 Nissan D21

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Here's the archived post with pics...

Code: Select all

http://web.archive.org/web/20120921151331/http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/nissan-hardbody-truck-suspension-torsion-bars-bushings.html

whomadewho
Posts: 523
Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2010 9:32 pm
Car: 1997 Nissan pickup

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Rev - Excellent article. Very helpful

hdavid87
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2016 4:27 pm
Car: NISSAN HARDBODY D21 1988 4X4 DOUBLE CAB

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Excellent article, I realize this is an old post but I've been fighting my suspension for a long time now.

My question is, does changing the torsion bars improved the suspension for your car? For example I have changed my bushings, shocks, adjust the torsion bar (recently, only adjust not replacing it) but my truck always jumps like a horse on the road.

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jonathan1173
Posts: 75
Joined: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:09 am
Car: 1997 Nissan Pickup XE 4X2
Location: Houston

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I replaced my OEM torsion bars with Sway-A-Ways and am quite happy with them. It results in a somewhat stiffer ride but no hopping and very good stability as the stiffer torsion bars push the tires against the pavement more than stock. I also replaced the deteriorating rubber bushings all the way around with Poly ones from Energy Suspension.I think I gave around $140 for the bushing kit.
Fun part was removing front control arm/ frame bushings. I'm sure there's easier ways of removing than what I did, which was drilling/ wire brush/ and propane torch combined with expletives directed at old bushings.
Of course while your'e in there, may as well swap control arms, links, etc. so you only have to go in there once.


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