Rear shock lower bolt mounting question.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 31
From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
Rear shock lower bolt mounting question.
As I was getting the car ready for this HPDE season I was changing the rear shocks. The lower bolt has that hefty torque setting of 162 ft lbs. I set my torque wrench to 145 since it's max is 150 and figured when I take it for the tech inspection, I would have my mechanic tighten it correctly. Well I wound up snaping the bolt! At first I thought the torque wrench failed to click, so I tried some other bolts on the car and it appeared to be working fine. In hindsight I think my mistake was using the torque wrench on the nut rather than the bolt head. Thoughts please.
Secondly, since I needed to replace the bolt I went to gmpartseast website, found it in the diagram, but it said it was not available. Figured that was just something they didn't have available. I called the dealer in the morning to see how fast they could get one and was surprised to hear them tell me the same thing (the parts guy I spoke with was really surprised to learn this himself) I went to a fasteners website and ordered what I needed and went up a grade on the bolt strength. Just seems odd that this part doesn't seem to exist at GM.
Secondly, since I needed to replace the bolt I went to gmpartseast website, found it in the diagram, but it said it was not available. Figured that was just something they didn't have available. I called the dealer in the morning to see how fast they could get one and was surprised to hear them tell me the same thing (the parts guy I spoke with was really surprised to learn this himself) I went to a fasteners website and ordered what I needed and went up a grade on the bolt strength. Just seems odd that this part doesn't seem to exist at GM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
My 2004 manual says 170 lb and I broke a lot of bolts before I tumbled to this. I was working on a buddy's C6 and his manual said the torque should be 107 lbs - same shock - same bolt. I think there was a dysletic proof reader working on the C5 manuals.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 31
From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...rque-spec.html
Post 16 makes sense
From the GM repair manual - Document ID: 650265
#4 Install the upper shock absorber mounting bolts.
Tighten the upper mounting bolts to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
Notice: To avoid breaking the mounting bolt that attaches the shock absorber to the lower control arm, tighten the bolt. Do NOT tighten the nut.
#5 Install the lower shock absorber mounting bolt.
Tighten the shock absorber lower mounting nut to 145 N·m (107 lb ft).
