Can anyone confirm lower bolt torque?

Rocketdog

New member
2005 4Runner Limited. Installing new strut assembly and need the torque value of the two bolts that bolt together the lower control arm to the lower ball joint. Is 116 foot pounds correct? They did take a 1/2 inch ratchet and a short cheater pipe to get them loose!
 
Register to hide this ad
2005 4Runner Limited. Installing new strut assembly and need the torque value of the two bolts that bolt together the lower control arm to the lower ball joint. Is 116 foot pounds correct? They did take a 1/2 inch ratchet and a short cheater pipe to get them loose!

166 ft/lbs per the service manual

5GNxARS.png



You can find the service manual links here
 
Last edited:
Weird, mine shows 118 ft-lb. This is from the 2006 service manual. The bolt feels like it can take 166 ft-lb based on how hard it was to remove, so it's probably OK to go with that.

When I was researching it, someone out there said to use red loctite, so I did. Upon further research, I think red loctite is overkill, and blue would be sufficient. No loctite is specified for this joint (I think the service manual will note when it's needed, but I'm not sure. If that's the case, very few bolts call for it). Blue loctite combined with the correct torque is enough to keep the bolt from coming loose, and blue loctite fills the space between the threads to prevent corrosion so you don't get a rusty bolt later. I'll probably start using it on all bolts for that reason. Red loctite is permanent, and you need high heat to remove it or you might damage a bolt.
 

Attachments

  • Screen shot 2015-01-17 at 7.29.55 PM.jpg
    Screen shot 2015-01-17 at 7.29.55 PM.jpg
    91.3 KB · Views: 23,465
Weird, mine shows 118 ft-lb. This is from the 2006 service manual. The bolt feels like it can take 166 ft-lb based on how hard it was to remove, so it's probably OK to go with that.

When I was researching it, someone out there said to use red loctite, so I did. Upon further research, I think red loctite is overkill, and blue would be sufficient. No loctite is specified for this joint (I think the service manual will note when it's needed, but I'm not sure. If that's the case, very few bolts call for it). Blue loctite combined with the correct torque is enough to keep the bolt from coming loose, and blue loctite fills the space between the threads to prevent corrosion so you don't get a rusty bolt later. I'll probably start using it on all bolts for that reason. Red loctite is permanent, and you need high heat to remove it or you might damage a bolt.

Red Loctite isn't permanent. I've used it every time and have taken those bolts out probably 5-6 times at least.
 
Hmmm... A 48 ft lb difference between two service manuals. That's quite a difference when it comes to a front end part.
 
Weird, mine shows 118 ft-lb. This is from the 2006 service manual. The bolt feels like it can take 166 ft-lb based on how hard it was to remove, so it's probably OK to go with that.

When I was researching it, someone out there said to use red loctite, so I did. Upon further research, I think red loctite is overkill, and blue would be sufficient. No loctite is specified for this joint (I think the service manual will note when it's needed, but I'm not sure. If that's the case, very few bolts call for it). Blue loctite combined with the correct torque is enough to keep the bolt from coming loose, and blue loctite fills the space between the threads to prevent corrosion so you don't get a rusty bolt later. I'll probably start using it on all bolts for that reason. Red loctite is permanent, and you need high heat to remove it or you might damage a bolt.

That's really odd..... When I had my alignment done, Firestone also had ~166 ft/lbs as the OEM spec for those bolts (2007 4Runner). My guess would be that Toyota simply downgraded the torque spec because 166 isn't necessary.

In the way of loctite, 271 compound can require heat to remove on smaller bolts (#8 or #10 bolts) because they will break. 242 is strong enough for most things, such as the skid-plate mounting bolts, sway bar mounting bolts, ect. I use 271 on bolts larger than 10mm that will see high vibration that I absolutely do NOT want coming loose, such as those two bolts on the ball joint mount.

I also might be a bit biased because I have an impact wrench that makes breaking bolts loose easy.
 
Last edited:
Red Loctite isn't permanent. I've used it every time and have taken those bolts out probably 5-6 times at least.

With just hand tools? That would be good since I don't want to have to get those bolts really hot next time I take them out.

Loctite 243 is supposed to be a bit better than 242 since it works better on oily or dirty threads. I don't have any yet, but I'll pick some up when I run out of 242

If a bolt is torqued correctly, and the torque is specified correctly, it should never come loose on its own. Loctite is needed for bolts that can't be torqued enough for some reason, like if the bolt is too small for the amount of force it has to withstand. But it can't hurt to use it to be extra safe.
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,085
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Trending content

Back
Top