Just installed new intermediate shaft , I noticed the four nuts and bolt at the steering box end of shaft were loose after install. Went to tighten them but they compress the rubber bushing on that end. Soooo the question is how tight do I go?

 

Is there a torque spec?

 

The clamp/pinch bolt for the input to the steering box should be tightened to 30 ft/lb.

Does the rag joint have the semicircular metal inserts that distribute the force of the fasteners? With those, a Haynes manual indicates 20 ft/lb for the nuts, but I don't completely trust many of those aftermarket manuals.

 

Not sure of what you mean by inserts but here is a picture

 

Thats not an OE piece, so its anyone's guess what the "correct torque would be, but i would avoid squeezing the rubber piece too much. Its also not collapsing like the original. Looks like that was used for clearance issues maybe. The OE rag joint is riveted/collapsible piece which i believe they repo that now.

 

it's not OE but it is a collapsible shaft.