I'm Confused.....

The '88 Factory Service Manual has two different Torque Spec's for the Outer Tie Rod to the Steering Knuckle.
I hope that the pros / experts can 'steer' me straight.....

The Torque in the 'Rack & Pinion' Section shows 40 ft/lbs
The Torque in the 'Front Suspension' Section shows 15 ft/lbs + ½ turn

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Original Owner of a Silver '88 GT
Under 'Production Refurbishment' @ 136k Miles

I believe what they are telling you is minimum 15 plus what you need to insert cotter pin. if you did 40 plus what you need to alein cotter pin it would be too much. sleek

If you have a deflecting bar torque wrench, you can see if they result in the same reading.

15ft-lbs + 180 degrees might get you 40 ft-lbs.

Thanks guys for the remarks and ideas....

All of my torque wrenches are 'Click' type

I believe the best plan is:

*Set my torque wrench at 15 ft/lbs and tighten the connection
*Mark the nut so I can measure ½ turn {180-degrees}
*Set my torque wrench at 30 ft/lbs and tighten the connection
*Measure the nut rotation movement
*Set my torque wrench at 40 ft/lbs
*Slowly creep on the 40 ft/lbs setting by stopping often to measure nut rotation movement and the cotter pin alignment

Thanks again,
VN

I wouldn't hesitate to use either spec. Tie rod bolts are a friction fit, anyway.

When I did head bolts on our Honda V6 (long story) the spec (IIRC) was, tightening in sequence, 35 lb.ft., plus 90 degrees, plus 90 degrees, plus an additional 90 degrees for used head bolts. (Don't quote me on these exact specs, but it was similar.)

I think the "x plus however many degrees" removes a bit of inconsistency at the tighter end of the scale, due to variations in thread cleanliness, lubrication of the fastener, etc.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 11-22-2024).]