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Topic: TORQUE SPECS FOR UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


TORQUE SPECS FOR UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS

Posted: 9/30/07 9:13pm Message 1 of 5
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Loveland, CO - USA
Joined: 9/30/2007
Posts: 28
Vette(s): Red 1980 L48 TH350 Automatic, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Hooker Headers Sidepipes. Doeskin Cloth Interior, Collector's Edition Lifting Rear Hatch.
I am brand new to this site. I joined because I'm replacing the upper control arms, upper and lower ball joints, and sway bar bushings on my 1980 'vette and am having a hard time finding the torque specs for the ball joints and sway bar bushings.
    The upper a-arms were complete with bushings, bars and ball joints, no problem there.  Connecting the ball joints to the nuckle (The end with the cotter pin.) I don't know how much torque to tighten them. I think that the upper ball joint to the nuckle is 42-47ft. lbs., but I couldn't find anything on the lower ball joint which must be more because it is beefier and the lower a-arm is much stouter than the upper. Also, have replaced the dry rotted stock sway bar bushings with poly ones from Ecklers. Wondering how much to torque them to also. ( I have the 1 1/8" dia. sway bar.)
     Would greatly appreciate it if anyone could share with me if they have these numbers.
  Thanks!



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TORQUE SPECS FOR UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS

Posted: 10/1/07 6:17am Message 2 of 5
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Upper b-joint nut = 50ftlbs
Lower b-joint nut = 80ftlbs
Tighten an additional 1/16 turn if needed to align holes for cotter pins. Never loosen the nut to align the holes.

The stabilizer bar bolts should simply be tight...I don't know of any particular specs for them, unless they show in the AIM...


Welcome to C3VR!!



Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

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TORQUE SPECS FOR UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS

Posted: 10/1/07 8:38pm Message 3 of 5
Former Member
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Loveland, CO - USA
Joined: 9/30/2007
Posts: 28
Vette(s): Red 1980 L48 TH350 Automatic, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Hooker Headers Sidepipes. Doeskin Cloth Interior, Collector's Edition Lifting Rear Hatch.
Thanks so much!
   Matt



TORQUE SPECS FOR UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS

Posted: 10/2/07 5:40am Message 4 of 5
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Gloucester, VA - USA
Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1453
Vette(s): 1979 T-Top, Metallic Green ZZ4 350/355 hp 405 ft/lbs torque Dual Spal Fans 700R4 4 Spd O/D Transmission 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition
[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]Upper b-joint nut = 50ftlbs
Lower b-joint nut = 80ftlbs
Tighten an additional 1/16 turn if needed to align holes for cotter pins. Never loosen the nut to align the holes.

The stabilizer bar bolts should simply be tight...I don't know of any particular specs for them, unless they show in the AIM...


Welcome to C3VR!!
[/QUOTE]

 Just outta curiousity Joel...

  Where did you find 'em? I didn't see them in my Assembly manual. Of course, I was in a rush..

 



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TORQUE SPECS FOR UPPER/LOWER BALL JOINTS

Posted: 10/2/07 6:34am Message 5 of 5
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Well, Jim...the specs are listed in the service manuals. They are also in the AIM, but not necessarily in the section on suspension assembly, tho it will list torque specs on certain items, such as screws...
The info on castellated nuts/studs/bolts is found in the front of the AIM, but I don't have mine here right now, so I can't specify which section...

I got these(the above) particular specs from my 'puter program for vintage cars...


Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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