Information on torquing bolts down

[80stepsideguy]

Hi all,
can anyone give me any info on where or what i need to look for as to torquing bolts down?For instance the lower control arm nuts that hold the u shaped bolts in place and just chassis bolts in specific?I put the center cradle on and torqued all the bolts to like 100 ft lbs to make sure they NEVER go anywhere.I read the upper and ower ball joints are like 70 ft lbs and 50 ft lbs.But i was trying to look in my hayes manual nad they dont give anything to torque numbers.
thanks
pat

[Lt.Del]

Balljoints.....lower 90 ft lbs or a little more (never less) to line up the cotter pin hole.  Never back up the nut to line up.

Upper balljoint is 50 ft lbs or a little more.

I found this in either the Haynes, Chiltons book, or the shop manual.  I don't remember, it has been a little while...it may have come from the directions with the parts, i don't recall. 

It is definately worth getting a shop manual for your truck...it goes into more detail on assembly and individual parts rebuild (ie:starter, alternator,etc).


http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&dfsp=1&from=R10&_trksid=m37&satitle=chevy+truck+manual+shop&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&fmmk=&fmmd=&fylo=&fyhi=&mppfqy=chevy+truck+manual+shop&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=23228&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&sadis1=100&fpos1=23228&lsot1=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&fgtp=&sadis2=100&fpos2=23228&lsot2=

[VileZambonie]

Unfortunately manufacturers don't always give torque values so you have to use German torque specs 'GOODINTITE'

Torquing a bolt depends on its strength and it's yield. Overtorquing results in breakage and undertorquing causes components to wear or fall apart etc.

Here's an article with general torque values:
http://www.zerofast.com/torque.htm

Here are some specs for your truck:

Those u bolts on the lower control arm are 85lb-ft
Upper control arm shaft nuts are 70lb-ft
Control arm bushings are 115lb-ft
Crossmember to side rail 65lb-ft
Crossmember to bottom rail 90lb-ft
Crossmember brake support struts 60lb-ft
Stabilizer bar to control arm 25lb-ft
Stabilizer bar to fram 25lb-ft
Upper shock bolt 140lb-ft
Lower shock bolt 60lb-ft

[Blazin]

I tend to use the two grunt method. Once its snug give it two grunts more and then it goodntight like Vile said.
 If you go to a good book store like Barns & Noble you will be able to buy a book that gives torque specs by bolt size, thread count, and grade.

[80stepsideguy]

Blazin,
i use like grade 8 bolts on most of everything i have.I used viles torque numbers on some of the stuff i need but in hayes manuals i don't see torque numbers, they specify (installation is the reverse of removal) like ok i know how to remove it and reinstall it but whats the torque numbers to it?I think i may go to barnes n noble or look online on ebay n buy a shop manual for this truck n its year.
thanks
pat

[Lt.Del]

You won't find a shop manual at a book store, unless it is a specialty bookstore for mechanics or something.  They aren't exactly best sellers.  I work at Barnes and Noble off-duty security and spend hours browsing around.  I frequent other stores like Borders and Books a Million, you won't find shop manuals there.

Ebay or online mechanic's store is best bet.

[VileZambonie]

You need the factory service manual. When I worked at the GM dealer I went upstairs and found a ton of old service manuals going from 73-87 so I grabbed a bunch and I have them in my library. You can look on ebay pretty much any 73-87 10,20,30 manual will have the majority of the info you're looking for. Everyone should own the factory service manual for their cars even though it's around $100 bucks or more it's worth it! In the meantime if you ever need specs I have several information databases available to me.

Here's a cheap one on ebay..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/82-Chevrolet-PU-Factory-Shop-Service-Overhaul-Manual_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118QQcategoryZ34216QQihZ010QQitemZ200135891248QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

[Blazin]

I got my service manuals mail order from Helms. If I remember correctly they are in the Chicago area. I have seen in Borders a book on tool and die / machining and it had a torque spec table in the back of it. It caught my eye because it was a reprint of and old book of my fathers I have, he was a tool & die / machinist / gun smith. He was Sturm Ruger's tool and die shop forman here in Newport N.H. for 24 years.