Clarification on front-end torque specs

[bengelhardt]

I'm in the process of putting my front end back together and I have a question about the torque specs listed on the 311s.org site http://www.311s.org/tech/susp/fetorquespecs.html

Can someone out there tell me the difference between the upper and lower "ball stud nut" (first two items in list) and the upper and lower "ball stud with knuckle spindle" nut (6th & 7th items on list)?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[S Allen]

Bill,

I cannot find that information in any of my books. I am removing it from the site. Not sure where I got it from. I did speak to Master Mechanic and Datsun Roadster Fanatic Mike Young and he said there were not any cold hard torque specs. On the ball joints he said tighten 'em until they feel tight and do not over do it. There are standard torque specs by bolt size and he recommended you go with them. Also he said to use anti-sieze on everything. Some of the more critical bolts have locking tab washer on them to keep things from coming undone. On the upper and lower spindle bushings he recommends using an impact gun on them. Sorry for the wild goose chase.

Steve

[bengelhardt]

I did find that info. in one other place online ( http://www.fransfancies.com/datsun/tech ... torque.pdf ). It's located on a page called "Tom's Datsun Roadster Pages" ( http://www.fransfancies.com/datsun ) in the "Tech Stuff Section".

The PDF file credits Graeme Suckling and Gordon Glasgow.

I'll email Gordon and post another reply here if I get any additional information.

Thanks for looking into this.

[S Allen]

No problem.

Steve

[bengelhardt]

I have exchanged emails with Gordon and here's what I found out.

There are SOME torque specs on page 128 of the Clymer manual (I didn't notice them at first because they are in small type.) They are given in metric units but can easily be translated into SAE.

The values given there are as follows:
Upper ball joint to spindle - 4.5-5.5 kg-m (32.5-39.8 ft-lbs)
Lower ball joint to spindle - 9.5-12.5 kg-m (68.7-90.4 ft-lbs)
Ball joint to control arm (upper and lower) - 2.2-2.4 kg-m (15.9-17.4 ft-lbs)
Disk dust sheild through caliper mount to spindle - 3.5-4.9 kg-m (25.3-35.4 ft-lbs)
Caliper to caliper mount - 8.5-11.9 (61.5-86.1 ft-lbs)
Disk to hub - 5.5-7.6 kg-m (39.8-55.0 ft-lbs)
Lug nuts - 8-9 kg-m (57.9-65.1 ft-lbs)

I couldn't find any of the other values that you have listed on the 311s.org chart so I can't verify their validity.

Thanks to you and Gordon Glasgow for your help.

[S Allen]

Bill,

Thanks for the update. I need to look at my Clymers again.

Steve