Torque Specs

[Jim38243]

I have a 1965 coupe and am reinstalling the front dust shields, spindle, wheel hub etc. I cannot find the torque specs in my Assembly manual for all three bolts that pass through the shield and espically the two that hold the steering arm to the spindle. Also need to know the torque for the large stubby bolt at the top of the shield that holds the brake caliper bracket to the knuckle. Is it in the manual? I won't proceed until I find this out, please help! Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: Torque Specs

Jim------

The torque specs for the large bolt which is called the brake anchor bolt is 120 lb/ft. This bolt is 11/16-16 X 7/8". As far as the other bolts go, I've looked high and low for GM-published torque specs for these fastners for years and I've never found any. However, for 65-67 Corvettes, these bolts are 7/16-20. The "standard" toque for this size bolt in SAE grade 8 is about 65 lb/ft. I'd recommend using 65-70 lb/ft on the bolts.

[Art A.]

Re: Torque Specs

Joe, What am I missing here? I just went thru my 1965 AIM and found torque specs for just about all, if not all, of the steering, brakes, and front suspension parts in question. Could you be more specific as to which torque specs you have never been able to find.

Art

[Joe L.]

Re: Torque Specs

Art-----

The AIM does have the torque specs for the vast majority of fastners on a Corvette. However, it doesn't have the specs for fastners that were delivered to St. Louis as part of an assembly. The front spindle assemblies were so-delivered and, consequently, the various fastners that were part of it, including the 3 mentioned in the original post, are not described as to torque value (or part number, for that matter) in the AIM.

The Chevrolet Service Manual and Overhaul Manual include the torque values for many fastners that are not shown in the AIM (as well as some of those that are shown in the AIM). However, with respect to the 2 bolts which fasten the steering arm to the steering knuckle, they are "silent". Aftermarket manuals don't show this torque value, either. In fact, I think these are the only 2 bolts on a Corvette that I've never been able to find published torque values for.

By the way, the bolts were different for 63-67 and 68-82. 63-67 used 7/16-20 bolts; 68-82 used 1/2-20. So, the torque values would be different for the 2 different size bolts, too.

[Jim38243]

Thanks - NM *NM*