Bill Curlee

I have been busy replacing all my 71 Coupe suspension components and now its time to re-assemble. I had to search to day for a complete list of C3 Torque Specs. I eventually I found them. Found a post that stated that the complete list is in the VANSTEEL parts catalogue ( on page 9 ).

So to help others, I copied it and will list it here:

Corvette Torque Specifications
1963 – 1982

Brakes:
Caliper Mounting Bolt - Front..........70.........5/8
Caliper Mounting Bolt - Rear ..........70.........5/8
Caliper Housing Bolts - Front.........130........13/16
Caliper Housing Bolts - Rear ..........60.........5/8

Rear Suspension:
T-Arm Front Toe-In Shims.............50+*.......5/8 & 11/16 nut
Spring Retainer To Rear End ..........70.........13/16 bolt (de arch spring)
U-Joint (inner) U-Bolts...................15.........9/16 nut
U-Joint (inner) Caps......................30.........9/16 bolt
U-Joint (outer) Flange Bolts............75.........5/8 (use locks)
Strut Rod (Inner) Camber Bolt .......70*........3/4 nut
Strut Rod (outer) Shock Mount .....75+* .......15/16 nut
Shock Absorber (upper) Bolt ...........60..........5/8 & 11/16 nut
Shock Absorber (lower) Nut ............40..........3/4
Bearing Housing to T-Arm ...............30..........9/16 nut
Spindle Nut ...................................100+. .......11/16
Warning: If the assembly was not properly set-up, tightening the spindle nut
will load the bearings and cause imminent bearing failure.

Wheels:
Rally Wheels (steel).........................75...... ....3/4
Optional Wheels (aluminum) ...........80*.........3/4 (re-torque at 100 mi.)

Front Suspension:
Upper A-Frame Bushing Bolt .........35*........9/16
Upper A-Frame Align, Shim Nut......50.........11/16
Lower A-Frame Fr. Mtg. Bolts ........70.........5/8
Lower A-Frame Rear Mounting......100........7/8 & 13/16 nut
Steering Arm to Spindle ................70.........3/4 Nuts (63-68, 11/16)
Ball Joint (upper) .........................45+........3/4 nut
Ball Joint (lower) .........................75+........7/8 nut
Ball Joint (replacement bolts) .........25.........1/2

Carrier:
Front Brackets to Frame ...............65.........5/8 & 11/16 nut
Front Brackets to Housing ............50+........5/8 & 11/16 nut
Strut Rod Bracket Bolts ................35.........9/16 (use locktite)
Rear Cover Bolts..........................50....... ..5/8
Filler Plug ....................................20
+ plus additional torque when necessary to align cotter pin hole
* tighten bushings only when arms are at riding height


I have been doing this stuff for years and I was surprissed to see this!
" * tighten bushings only when arms are at riding height* " I guess really you learn something new everyday.

Hope this info helps someone!

Bill C

BenUK

Thank you Bill. That'll be very useful for me soon.

Jud Chapin

Very nice work!

69Vett

Thank you this is a great post !
Having all the Torq specs in one place !

69VETT

Bill Curlee

No problem! I usually spend all my time in C5 Tech but, this 71 is starting to need a bit of attention! I'll be hanging out here more and more!

Ill post some "HIGH LIGHTS and Lows of my suspension upgrade project after its all complete so others can learn from some of the stuff that I had to go through. Like cutting out the trailing arms! Man, I wouldn't wish that job on my worst enemy! Those suckers were rust welded in place!

Thanks

Bill C

bobbarry

Thanks for compiling that; for some reason, the assembly-manual doesn't list the torque for the inner U-joints when it uses caps; it only lists the torque for the nuts when using straps.

Alan 71

Hi,
The GM Chassis Service Manual has a pretty nice list of torque specifications too. It's divided into areas, so is easy to use, and quite complete.
Regards,
Alan

PeteZO6

As does the AIM. Torque values are given on each drawing where there are bolts, etc. Very handy to print the pages covering the area you are working on so you can refer to them as you disassemble and reassemble each component, part, assembly, etc.

Pete

mikep3

What is the torque on:
Lower control arm bushings.
Bolts that hold the steering box to the frame.

bobbarry

Unfortunately, the AIM I have for the 1971 model year, on page L166, shows only the U-bolt/lockwasher/nut, with a torque spec of 14-18 LBS FT, with no alternative drawings for the HD caps retained by bolts that are on my '71.

johnt365

Bookmark. Thanks, I needed that.

bobbarry

You would do better to post what you need in the Parts For Sale/Wanted forum:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...ale-wanted-57/

JBmac

Awesome Bill!!!! Thanks I just used it for the wheel bolt torque specs on the wifes 71 Big block vette!!! All the folks on this site are the best!!! JB

mashmc

2015 and still being used thanks

dgheinen

I know it's an old post, but I assume all of this is in ft/lbs?

woodsman731

Thank you Bill!

mashmc

Bill C. Made it very easy to look up torque requirements, I found this a useful chart with everything compiled, I had looked up some and found that they are in Ft/Lbs. I printed it and hung on my shop wall, saved me a lot of time in Look-Up.

wheelhouse73

This is the best ever. thanks!

C3FIXER

Damn, I wish I had Had this when doing the re-assembly.