front suspension torques

[rwr1987]

I am replacing the front wheel bearings, and half shafts and need to know what the torque specs are for the upper and lower ball joint nuts as well as the tie rod bolt, and the wheel bearing to spindle bolts and the main spindle bolt. thanks rwr1987

 

[Hartman]

Balljoints and tie rods - as tight as you can fricken get them lol. at least thats what I do

I know the spindle nut is supposed to be torqued to 250 ft/lbs.

 

[CDW6212R]

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa. That is way too tight for all but the main hub spindle bolt. Ant torque spec is based on the fastener size, and its strength.

I can break the ball joint bolts, and tie rod bolts, so "...as tight as you can fricken get them..." is way too tight.

The upper ball joint bolt is about a 3/8" size, and the spec is probably around 50 lbs.ft.
The lower ball joint is a very large bolt, and the spec will be something like a wheel stud, say 80-90 lbs.ft.
The tie rod end is about 1/2" in size, and a torque of about 75 lbs.ft. would be good for it.
Those hub to spindle bolts are also about 1/2", and about 70 lbs.ft. would be enough for them.

I sometimes look up torque specs. I always torque internal engine components to exact specs. Generally I can tighten bolts without a torque wrench, by experience with bolt sizes, and their strengths. Very good questions, good luck.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I torqued a '98 Mounty AWD left front spindle at 200 ft. lbs at work the other day. Stick a screw driver between the caliper into the rotor and torque away.

-Drew

 

[CDW6212R]

That will work, but it is easier to just completely assemble everything, and torque those last. With the tires on the ground, the vehicle in park, and the parking brake on, then torque those. 200 lbs.ft. is plenty on those hubs, the bolts are huge, strong, and fine threaded. Regards,

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I torque wheels with all the weight down. Kind of hard to hold a tire in the air and torque it to 100 ft lbs. Ha As long as you torque it, you should be good to go -- CDW and I just have different preferences. Just make sure you torque!

-Drew

 

[rwr1987]

Thanks to all for your responses I looked up a price for the shop manual and thought it was way too high. All you people are great thanks for the help. By the way I am not a serious off roader, I tow a 25 ft. aero light travel trailer, with the help of a few engine modifications. THANKS!