torsion bar adjustment (late model)

[bigcat1]

Hello,
I've been asked to help restore the front suspension on a friend's 1974 V12 E. I want to replace all of the ball joints and inner bushes. I understand that a special tool JD43 is required for the later ones to 'tension' the torsion bar!?
Is there a 'work around' to allow this job to be done without the tool? If not does anyone own this tool and could I hire it?

Cheers

[key001g]

There was discussion of this subject at a recent Forum Co-ordinators' meeting because someone had posted (on another BB) advice on how to avoid using an "approved" tool. He was advocating an extremely potentially dangerous method of work which could clearly not be seen to be advocated by the JEC hence the disclaimer at the top of the BB page has been added. Members are advised that any practice/proceedure they undertake must be carried out safely and any equipment/tools used must be fit for purpose (and not just something cobbled together from old bits & pieces).

[bigcat1]

I heartily agree with regard to the use of proper tools and procedures. I'm trying to grasp why this tool needs to be used and where I could hire one as it doesnt appear to be produced anymore (so says Bob Bate) It seems to me that it is a suspension 'setting' tool rather than a 'compression' tool that is needed when working on coil spring models.
Again, if anyone has this tool I would be happy to pay an appropriate fee to hire it from them.

[PoB]

Here we go, I fully expect a fatwah being raised against me for this.

I have stripped and rebuilt several V12 E's and never used the tool. The procedure isn't dangerous just time consuming.

Strip the front suspension in the normal manner leaving the lower arms in place with the hubs, upper wishbones, antirollbar links, steering rack ends disconnected and shock absorbers removed.

You now have the lower arms "hanging" (viewed from the front pointing down at about 30 degrees) undo the 2 securing bolts from the rear TB bracket, you might need to put slight pressure on the lower arm to slide the bolts out.

Fitting as they say is the reversal of the above. I would mark the TB relative to both securing ends to act as a guide for refitting, however, there is a degree of adjustment with the cam, unlike the 6 cyl's

Regards
Pat