Thomas Stahel

iTrader: (1)

Hi together


I have a pdf GM service manual for my Camaro '88. I'm quite confused with the torque specs for track bar, track bar bracket (brace) and the LCAs.


In the manual (step-by-step) and in the pictures it says as followed:


Track bar bolt to axle --> 105 Nm (78 ft.)
Track bar bolt to the body bracket --> 78 Nm (58 ft.)
Track bar bracket bolt to the body bracket --> 78 Nm (58 ft.)
Track bar bracket (3 screws) --> 47 Nm (34 ft.)
LCA (both bolts) --> 108 Nm (80 ft.)




BUT at the end of the chapter in the torque specs it says:


Bolt, track bar to axle --> 80 Nm (59 ft.)
Nut, track bar to body bracket --> 105 Nm (78 ft.)
Nut, track bar bracket to body bracket --> 105 Nm (78 ft.)
Screws, track bar bracket to body brace bracket --> 47 Nm (34 ft.)
Bolts, control arm --> 108 Nm (80 ft.)




So as you can see the specs in question are all except for track bar bracket screws and LCA. But in another manual I saw another spec which says 83 Nm (61 ft.) for a nut which is not clear whether it means the LCA bolts or the track bar bracket bolt to body bracket. I guess it's the latter but then it's still different from the GM specs.


So can anyone help me? What specs did you use? And why are they sometimes talking about bolts and then about nuts? There are nuts for all bolts actually...


Thanks a lot!
Thomas

novaderrik

put a breaker bar on and pull them nice and tight.. save the torque wrench for when you are inside the engine..

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Perfect. Don't NOT be nice, but get em TIGHT.

This belongs in the "measure with micrometer, mark with chalk, cut with axe" category.

Thomas Stahel

iTrader: (1)

I know that you guys are better in knowing how much is too much and how much is not enough but I'd rather rely on my torque wrench or in other words: I mean if I already have one I might as well use it.


And just because I'm curious and like to understand things: There's got to be a reason why on one side the torque is 25 Nms lower than on the other, no? So from a logical point of view it should be clear which side is which torque...

novaderrik

torque specs are based on the size of the fastener and they leave a lot of room for making them tighter before they fail.. once you've done a few, you get to know how a given fastener should feel when tight.

one thing those specs don't tell you is that you are supposed to do them at ride height, without any bid on the suspension. if you tighten them down with the car on jackstands and the rear axle hanging down, you will be putting a preload into the bushings and it might not settle down to the proper ride height. this really only applies to stock rubber bushings since poly or solid bushings float more freely.

Thomas Stahel

iTrader: (1)

Hm, so if it's as you say, it would be completely illogical to have two different torques for the different sides of the panhard bar because the bolts are exactly the same... ??


Yes, I know that I have to torque them with the axle loaded. Is it correct that "curb height / ride height" means that I have to raise the car under the pumpkin and then tighten the bolts? I don't have to have the car sit on its wheels, do I?


Thanks,
Thomas