C2 - Steering knuckle torque requirements

[Rory Riedy]

Can anyone tell me the torque requirement for the nut & bolt assembly that passes throught the dust shield, steering knuckle & caliper bracket. Also the torque requirement if any of the front dust shield upper bolt.

I can't seem to find these listed anywhere in the assemble manual & don't know where else to look.

Is there some reference manual other than the assemble manual that gives all torque requirements?

As usual thank you in advance for your help.

[Wayne W.]

Re: C2 - Steering knuckle torque requirements

That should tell you that it is not critical. Just use common torque requirements for bolts and nuts of that size and grade.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 - Steering knuckle torque requirements

Rory-----

The reason that the torque specs aren't in the AIM is that the front steering knuckle was supplied to St. Louis as part of a complete assembly. So, the torque values applicable to the individual fastners which were part of that assembly were irrelevent to the folks at St. Louis and were, consequently, not included in the AIM.

Usually, these sort of specifications will be found in the factory Service Manual. However, for some reason or another, the steering arm-to-knuckle bolts were "omitted" from most of the manuals I've looked at. I know, for sure, that they're not to be found in the 1969 or 1970 manuals.

The steering arm-to-knuckle bolts used for 63-67 Corvettes were smaller OD than later years. For 63-67 these bolts were 7/16-20. I don't think that you'll find these torque specs in a C2 factory Service Manual, but you might want to look. Otherwise, a torque of about 60-65 lb/ft would be right for 7/16-20 grade 8 bolts.

The upper bolt, which you described as the "shield retaining bolt" is a LOT more than a shield retaining bolt. It's the anchor bolt for the whole assembly. It's a large, 11/16-16 bolt of grade 8 strength. Specifications for this bolt ARE found in the factory Service Manual and are 120 lb/ft.

All 3 of the bolts (1 upper and 2 lower) are absolutely CRITICAL fastners. Make sure that the bolts are in perfect shape or replace them with identical HIGH QUALITY, SAE grade 8 bolts. The nuts used to secure the 2 lower bolts are self-locking, grade 8, stover-type nuts and should be replaced with same.

[Timothy B.]

Re: C2 - Steering knuckle torque requirements

Rory,

In my 1963 shop manual the two lower bolts are torqued at 40-50 ft.lbs. I know from my car they are grade eight and they have a self locking nut. The brake anchor pin is to have a torque of 65 ft.lbs. and there is a locking metal tab that is bent over the pin after tightening to prevent it from backing off. These are the specs for the 63 with drum brakes and I don't know if disc brake mid years are different.

[Wayne W.]

Re: C2 - Steering knuckle torque requirements

I knew that my post would get someone TORQUED. Yes Joe, they are critical fasteners, but you wont find many mechanics worring about the published torque specifications on these type bolts. They just do it by experience, and I dare say would never use a torque wrench.

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 - Steering knuckle torque requirements

Wayne,

One of the first jobs I had was as a mechanic in a Chevrolet dealer in the 60's. I was really surprised to see that almost no one used a torque wrench for anything. Some of the best most experienced guys would use one for cylinder heads but that was about it. Everything else was, as they said, "flat rated". I've seen guys install and tighten rod nuts with their impact wrench. Most never owned a torque wrench and they said I was losing money because I used mine. I wonder if the same is true in dealers today?

[John H.]

Re: C2 - Steering knuckle torque requirements

I hope not, with today's "torque-to-yield" and "torque-and-angle" single-use fasteners on cylinder heads