Thread: TM Fixer upper
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Old 02-07-2022, 11:41 AM   #10
Bill
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RobertsonClan -

Here is a bit more detail to expand on Wavery's post.

There are a total of 8 torsion bars, and so a total of 8 adjuster bolts (the things Wavery circled in his photo).
o Front shell front pair
o Front shell rear pair
o Rear shell front pair
o Rear shell rear pair.
Each bar runs across the entire width of the TM, underneath it. One end of each bar terminates in a white rectangular "lift arm", which is outside the wall of the TM. The other end terminates at the adjuster bolt under the edge of the TM on the other side. In other words, a bar that provides lift to the left side of a shell is adjusted on the right side of the TM - and vice versa.

Before you adjust any torsion bar, be sure you are adjusting the one you intend to adjust. You need to kneel down, look under the TM, and follow the intended bar across to its adjuster bolt. It is easy to get a pair of bars mixed up and adjust the wrong one.

Do the adjustments with the shell raised - this releases the tension from the torsion bar. Don't try to adjust when the shells are down. You will need a 1-1/8 inch socket, or a pair of big channel-lock pliers, to turn the adjuster bolt. Unless you need a lot of adjustment, turn the adjustment bolts 1/4 turn at a time, and do both sides equally.

Finally, with regard to marks on the outside walls caused by the bag seals rubbing as the shells go up and down. Be aware that the bag seals will eventually wear through the paint and expose the bare aluminum skin beneath. At that point, you can still remove the black smear, but the silvery aluminum will show through. Not pretty. Before you reach this point, a coat of wax will slow the process, but not stop it. Before the scrape wears through, a strip of clear UHMW tape over the scrape will pretty much stop the wear. Otherwise, you will probably end up painting the worn strip. Use the forum's Search tool to find discussions of UHMW tape.

This same UHMW tape is also very useful at the wear marks on the inside of the TM, such as across the ceiling of the front shell.

Bill
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