Torque Settings for Tie Rods etc. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**1971Stepside** · 11-22-2002, 10:11 AM

Hey guys I need a little help with some torque settings. I hope to have a rolling chassis by sometime tomorrow. I just have a few items left to set and torque.

Would someone please let me know what the torque settings are for the tie rods, pitman arm (to link bar),and idler arm (to link bar)?

Also, you guys that have done a full front end rebuild answer me this. I have torqued the spindles/ball joints and rotors to specified ft lbs and it seems like nothing wants to move. The rotors are very hard to turn and it take a whole bunch of grunt to turn the spindles. Is all of this normal because it is new and tight? I suppose it will loosen up as it goes. I just don't want to ruin bearings or have the steering pump give out on the first try.

As always thanks for your help. I will post some pics of the chassis on her feet when it is done.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 11-22-2002, 11:16 AM

Well according to your signature you have a 71 1/2 ton so this is what the specs are for that.
1.) Pitman arm to relay rod - 60 ft. lbs.
2.) Idler arm to relay ros - 60 ft. lbs.
3.) Idler arm mounting bolts - 30 ft. lbs.
4.) Tie rod Ball joint nut (outer and inner) - 35 ft. lbs. (plus torque required to align cotter pin, not to exceed 50 ft. lbs. Max)
5.) Tie rod clamp bolt - 22 ft. lbs.
6.) Steering connecting rod nuts - 50 ft. lbs. (plus next slot in nut to align cotter pin)
7.) Steering Gear mounting Bolts - 65 ft. lbs.
Hope this helps.... WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

**1971Stepside** · 11-22-2002, 11:23 AM

Thanks Wes. I'm drawing a blank on number 6....which one(s) is that? Maybe it is too early.

How about the overall stiffness? Is that normal? I know if I torque the Pitman and Idler to 60 ft lbs she ain't gonna want to move.

72MARIO · 11-22-2002, 11:24 AM

Hey I guess Wes covered the torque spec stuff as for the tight feeling as soon a I greased my front end susp parts everything turned alot easier . But for the rotors the touque spec is 12 foot pounds and the should spin easy . Good luck

72MARIO · 11-22-2002, 11:27 AM

I have no idea what 6 is refering to ?

**1971Stepside** · 11-22-2002, 11:27 AM

12 on the rotors??? Early Classics web site said 15. Hmmmmm....I'll check that out and grease the snot out of everything and see what happens.

72MARIO · 11-22-2002, 11:31 AM

Yah i saw ther epage and it said 15 but I looked in the haynes manual and it said 12 . 15 was way too tight for me becaUSE the bearing shopuld to spin with no friction

Oh you will need a crap load of grease I used omost 2 tubes.

**1971Stepside** · 11-22-2002, 11:39 AM

72Mario...thanks for the help. Did you grease everything before you torqued it or after?

72MARIO · 11-22-2002, 11:46 AM

I greased everything after just made cents ! well if i converted it into US funds I would be breaking the pennies in half .

**Classic Heartbeat** · 11-22-2002, 11:49 AM

The connecting rod is the rod that connects the two sides together and and also connects to the pitman arm. The book calls it a relay rod where it connects to the pitman arm and a connecting rod where it connects the two sides.... Also on the front wheel bearings... When I adjust them by spinning the wheel and when the torque starts slowing it down then I back off the nut about 1/4 turn, then align it for the cotter pin with the next slot toward loosening it. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

sniper2321 · 11-22-2002, 11:51 AM

when you grease the joint 's go with a synt. grease and only let the grease go till the inatial expansion of the joint boot's if the grease comes out you will have it go everwhere and it will be a big mess hope that help and the torque for the bearings for disk should be 12 with the wheel on for weightwhen you spin the wheel to get the grease to spread out on to the spindel pin.

**1971Stepside** · 11-22-2002, 12:04 PM

OK, WES....I think I got it. How many names can there be for one part. LOL

I tried that on my rotors and when I put the tires on I could wiggle the whole rotor so I know it is too loose. I will work on it tonight and if I get stuck I will post back. Thanks again.

11-22-2002, 10:11 AM	#1
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,928	Torque Settings for Tie Rods etc. Hey guys I need a little help with some torque settings. I hope to have a rolling chassis by sometime tomorrow. I just have a few items left to set and torque. Would someone please let me know what the torque settings are for the tie rods, pitman arm (to link bar),and idler arm (to link bar)? Also, you guys that have done a full front end rebuild answer me this. I have torqued the spindles/ball joints and rotors to specified ft lbs and it seems like nothing wants to move. The rotors are very hard to turn and it take a whole bunch of grunt to turn the spindles. Is all of this normal because it is new and tight? I suppose it will loosen up as it goes. I just don't want to ruin bearings or have the steering pump give out on the first try. As always thanks for your help. I will post some pics of the chassis on her feet when it is done. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

11-22-2002, 11:16 AM	#2
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Well according to your signature you have a 71 1/2 ton so this is what the specs are for that. 1.) Pitman arm to relay rod - 60 ft. lbs. 2.) Idler arm to relay ros - 60 ft. lbs. 3.) Idler arm mounting bolts - 30 ft. lbs. 4.) Tie rod Ball joint nut (outer and inner) - 35 ft. lbs. (plus torque required to align cotter pin, not to exceed 50 ft. lbs. Max) 5.) Tie rod clamp bolt - 22 ft. lbs. 6.) Steering connecting rod nuts - 50 ft. lbs. (plus next slot in nut to align cotter pin) 7.) Steering Gear mounting Bolts - 65 ft. lbs. Hope this helps.... WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

11-22-2002, 11:23 AM	#3
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,928	Thanks Wes. I'm drawing a blank on number 6....which one(s) is that? Maybe it is too early. How about the overall stiffness? Is that normal? I know if I torque the Pitman and Idler to 60 ft lbs she ain't gonna want to move. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

11-22-2002, 11:24 AM	#4
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	Hey I guess Wes covered the torque spec stuff as for the tight feeling as soon a I greased my front end susp parts everything turned alot easier . But for the rotors the touque spec is 12 foot pounds and the should spin easy . Good luck __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

11-22-2002, 11:27 AM	#5
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	I have no idea what 6 is refering to ? __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

11-22-2002, 11:31 AM	#7
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	Yah i saw ther epage and it said 15 but I looked in the haynes manual and it said 12 . 15 was way too tight for me becaUSE the bearing shopuld to spin with no friction Oh you will need a crap load of grease I used omost 2 tubes. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

11-22-2002, 11:39 AM	#8
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,928	72Mario...thanks for the help. Did you grease everything before you torqued it or after? __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

11-22-2002, 11:46 AM	#9
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	I greased everything after just made cents ! well if i converted it into US funds I would be breaking the pennies in half . __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

11-22-2002, 11:49 AM	#10
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	The connecting rod is the rod that connects the two sides together and and also connects to the pitman arm. The book calls it a relay rod where it connects to the pitman arm and a connecting rod where it connects the two sides.... Also on the front wheel bearings... When I adjust them by spinning the wheel and when the torque starts slowing it down then I back off the nut about 1/4 turn, then align it for the cotter pin with the next slot toward loosening it. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

11-22-2002, 11:51 AM	#11
sniper2321 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: S.E. Fla Posts: 185	when you grease the joint 's go with a synt. grease and only let the grease go till the inatial expansion of the joint boot's if the grease comes out you will have it go everwhere and it will be a big mess hope that help and the torque for the bearings for disk should be 12 with the wheel on for weightwhen you spin the wheel to get the grease to spread out on to the spindel pin.

11-22-2002, 12:04 PM	#12
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,928	OK, WES....I think I got it. How many names can there be for one part. LOL I tried that on my rotors and when I put the tires on I could wiggle the whole rotor so I know it is too loose. I will work on it tonight and if I get stuck I will post back. Thanks again. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."



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