Torque specs '81 k20 tie rod ends ?

[GSP7]

GM service manual - Torque specs '81 k20 tie rod ends ?

Got new moog drag link tie rod ends

Any one have the GM service manual torque specs? (1/2" castle nut)

All Ive found is 25- 35- 45 ft lbs, Or depending what source.

Im curious what a good service manual says

[GSP7]

My good dodge manual says 65-75 ft lbs (tie rod end nuts)

[GSP7]

Found my old '71 service manual

"Tie Rod Ball Joint Nuts" - 45 ft lbs.

[Stocker]

Bookmarked.... will probably need to replace my drag link before long. Thanks!

[GSP7]

Got some moogs from Rock Auto. $24 and $25, $7 -$15 cheaper than all the local auto parts store. And arrived in 1 day

I'll see how these moogs last, moogs have pretty good rubber boots that seal tight on the casting.

I wonder what the AC Delcos are like. I used moogs on my axle steering knuckles and they wore out fast

Torqued to 45 and then tightened till the cotter pin hole lined up came to prit near 60 ft lbs

[Stocker]

Did you get a new adjusting sleeve too, or re-use an existing one? If you bought new.... which one?

[GSP7]

Na, cleaned up and used my original adjust sleeve. Its in excellent condition.

On Rock auto's site the AC delco adjust sleeve looks exactly like mine,, with the dimples in it, and quality. If you need a new one

I measured from zerk to zerk to get length on the old set up, and screwed the new ones in to the same measurement. Worked perfect, steering wheel is exactly straight

I think Ill use AC Delco when I do my tie rod and end. I should have bought AC Delco for my drag link ends

One drag link end on the pitman arm I took off(original) was still pretty tight, the one at the steering arm was bad

The Originals factory ends I cleaned up for the heck of it, had a stamp "C" with "AP" inside the "C". I assume the original parts were AC delco. I know they are originals because Ive had the truck since '84


.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by GSP7

I think Ill use AC Delco when I do my tie rod and end. I should have bought AC Delco for my drag link ends.

Just curious.... why? Are they better quality? I know they cost more but I'd rather not cheap out on steering parts.

I still have the OEM one-piece drag link so when I replace it, I'll need the adjusting sleeve too. Looking at Rock Auto's Delco sleeve, thanks. Both ends of my drag link have a very small amount of loose play. Probably good enough but I'd rather have them nice & tight, especially before I get an alignment.

[GSP7]

Originally Posted by Stocker

Just curious.... why? Are they better quality? I know they cost more but I'd rather not cheap out on steering parts.

I'm thinking AC delco are better quality than moog. The inside sleeve is thicker than moog

I know Dana Spicer axle steering knuckle ball joints are way better quality than moog