steering arm/box nut torque specs
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 565
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From: I'm bleeding, making me the victor!
steering arm/box nut torque specs
What do I torque the nut to on the steering arm(on the steering gear)??? I am converting to power steering and need to torque that big mother. I don't have any specs, does anybody know for sure?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: steering arm/box nut torque specs (PRESSURERAT)
Looking in my "How to Restore & Modfify your Corvette 1968-82" book, it shows steering arm nuts 70 ft lbs. (page 251). Hope this helps :)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Re: steering arm/box nut torque specs (PRESSURERAT)
According to the GM service manual 1974-1976 the pitman shaft nut is is 185 lbs/ft. Yep - that is one tight mother......
Ptiman arm to realy rod stud is 45 lbs/ft.
Ptiman arm to realy rod stud is 45 lbs/ft.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
Re: steering arm/box nut torque specs (KenSny)
Whenever I have had to remove and reinstall the pitman arm I have never
been able to use a torque wrench to apply the 185 foot pounds. When
I apply any significant amount of torque the wheels start to turn. I
leave the ignition in the unlocked position as I am reluctant to stress
the steering column lock. So have used an impact gun to tighten the
pitman arm nut. Have a 250 foot pound gun and squeeze the trigger a
few quick bursts. Any one have a method of using a torgue wrench?
[Modified by mark79,80, 10:53 PM 11/1/2003]
been able to use a torque wrench to apply the 185 foot pounds. When
I apply any significant amount of torque the wheels start to turn. I
leave the ignition in the unlocked position as I am reluctant to stress
the steering column lock. So have used an impact gun to tighten the
pitman arm nut. Have a 250 foot pound gun and squeeze the trigger a
few quick bursts. Any one have a method of using a torgue wrench?
[Modified by mark79,80, 10:53 PM 11/1/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Re: steering arm/box nut torque specs (PRESSURERAT)
I have removed 3 of them from different cars and used a long 3/4" breaker bar (I have one that is for heavy tractors and machinery, etc, that is about 30" long) on the nut. But when I did my '75s originial factoory installed one I had to remove the steering box with arm attached and using a friends vise and clamps we got it off with a heavy duty air impact driver.
I think they used the MONSTER torque to prevent some random chance of the nut coming off and them getting sued. I would think that 85-90 would be sufficient. It would have been as safe if they had used a pinned castle nut, or some such device, for safety.
My impact driver puts out about 130 lbs/ft which is how I installed mine and it's still tight after about 2000 miles.
[Modified by KenSny, 8:09 AM 11/2/2003]
I think they used the MONSTER torque to prevent some random chance of the nut coming off and them getting sued. I would think that 85-90 would be sufficient. It would have been as safe if they had used a pinned castle nut, or some such device, for safety.
My impact driver puts out about 130 lbs/ft which is how I installed mine and it's still tight after about 2000 miles.
[Modified by KenSny, 8:09 AM 11/2/2003]
