Front Suspension and Steering Torque Specs

[DGA1]

Hi,

I've yet to get a factory service manual and was wodering if someone would be kind enough to supply me with some torque specs. I'm about to go through the entire front end of the truck, and would like to get everything torqued to factory specs. Here is what I need torque numbers for:
Idler Arm
to the frame
to the center link
Pitman Arm
to the steering box
to the center link
Upper Ball Joint
Lower Ball Joint
Inner tie rod
Outer tie rod

EDIT: This is for a '96 GMC K1500. I don't think it makes a difference but its the heavy duty 1/2 ton; F44 package.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
-DGA

 

[1997chevydriver]

What kind of truck?

 

[DGA1]

Whooops! It's a 96 GMC K1500.

 

[1997chevydriver]

Idler Arm Chiltons manual Hayes manual
to the frame 71 lbs 73 lbs
to the center link 46 lbs 40 lbs
Pitman Arm
to the steering box 184 lbs 184 lbs
to the center link 46 lbs 40 lbs
Upper Ball Joint 74 lbs 94 lbs
Lower Ball Joint 45 lbs 84 lbs
Inner tie rod 40 lbs 40 lbs
Outer tie rod 40 lbs 40 lbs



I got these out of my CHILTONS and my HAYES repair manuals

As you can see there are differences between them.


I'm hoping somebody will chime in with a service manual to conferm these numbers

 

[DGA1]

Thank you sir. Very much appreciated.

The ball joints are the only ones in question, since the torque varies so much between the two manuals.

 

[1997chevydriver]

No problem, and like you said with how much they vary, thats why I posted both so either you could decide or someone else would chime in

 

[DGA1]

No problem, and like you said with how much they vary, thats why I posted both so either you could decide or someone else would chime in

Ball joints are pretty beefy, so I'll aim between what the two manuals say and see how the cotter pin holes line up with the castle nut.

 

[DGA1]

I forgot...I've got couple of more for ya: Upper and lower A-arms?

 

[1997chevydriver]

Upper a arm to frame 140 lbs 140 lbs

Lower a arm to frame 121 lbs 121 lbs

This time they actually match

 

[DGA1]

Thanks a lot once again man.