Reconnecting hood torsion bars 68 Fury

[crazyboutwagons]

So today i was opening the hood of the 68 fury wagon and the torsion bar on the passenger side came out of the hinge with a deafening sound the round bushing flew off and smacked me in the forehead when i ducked when the hood came crashing down when the rod popped off scared the crap out of me. I looked in the FSM and the procedure for reinstalling isn't real clear. Any suggestions on how to get it connected back up. The bushings look ok don't know what caused it to come apart. After have 2 shoulder surgeries i don't have the strength to muscle it back in. Suggestions appreciated.

 

[azblackhemi]

I've used a ratcheting strap connected from the bar to the door handle. Works great. You just have to make sure you pad any areas that might get rubbed or damaged by the strap. You won't have to put that much tension on the strap. Good luck.

 

[crazyboutwagons]

Azblackhemi I thought of wrapping one around the door post but worried about damaging the interior plastic panels, I'll try your suggestion.

 

[GregG48203]

Here's a different approach from about seven years ago. Skip to post #13 to see what finally worked.
Calling Popeye - Help Needed with Hood Hinge Torsion Bar

 

[John Kirby]

I took one look at mine and said "Nope, never going to take them apart." Way too much of a safety hazard. Sandlasted and painted them on the car during the resto. Did grease them liberally when done.

 

[crazyboutwagons]

Well i tried last night to reconnect the torsion bar to the hinge on the passenger side to no avail. As suggested by others to use a rachet strap to pull the torsion bar on the hinge i used a hose clamp to hold the rachet strap hook to the bar to prevent it from slipping however it broke once it was under pressure and the bar moved forward under extreme speed thankfully no one or anything was damaged. Looking for more suggestions and pictures of how you did/would reattach the bar. The FSM dosen't really show /explain the procedure on how to reconnect the bar.

 

[John Kirby]

I doubt a hose clamp can handle the stress of doing this. Use something like a tow strap that can handle 1000 lbs or more.

 

[edbods]

I know this is years later, but for anyone else that has this problem:
- Adjustable wrench, preferably 12 inches or longer with a hole on the end
- 300mm/12 inch socket extension bar that can fit through said hole (3/8" should suffice)
- something (or someone) to prop the hood up; make sure it can't budge without some effort
stick the wrench as close to the roller end of the bar as you can, slide the extension through the wrench's hole. twist the bar towards the back of the car until the roller pops back into place. As you bend it, the leverage will also hold the bar in its pivot. You'll need the hood as high up as it can possibly go. You'll probably mar the paint; tape the jaws of the wrench or use something to protect it if you're concerned about that.
Also if you can, give the end of the bar that holds the roller and bushings in place a hit with a hammer and punch, burr the edges out so that it can't come off again. The bar is pretty tough though so I'd be surprised if you could actually do this by hand.