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Hi, I have a 1986 pickup 4x4 and I've run into some confusion regarding the torque specs. I've researched all over and everybody says the idler arm bracket should be torqued to 105 ft lbs and my FSM says 48. Is this a typo in my FSM or is this a torque spec using some kind of SST? I feel like I'm missing something really stupid and I just wanted to ask before I torque this because these two numbers have a pretty big difference. If this is a stupid question, I apologize ahead of time.
Of course, these numbers may have nothing to do with your rig.
But if your question is whether you're reading the FSM correctly, it sure would help your endeavor if you included a scan of the manual you're looking at. And if you specified the details of your vehicle (e.g., 4wd v. 2wd). If you're comparing the Toyota FSM to what "everybody" says, you should at least provide a citation to each of them. Well, I guess links to the 100 most likely would do.
I don't believe I'm reading the manual incorrectly because it states very clearly 70. My mistake on saying 48 (that's for the bracket to idler arm itself). Here's a pic of my manual. Is my rig somehow different or is my manual somehow different?
it may be a typo. go back a page in your '86 fsm, and note where it says "install idler arm with shaft". there, the manual states 70 ft-lbs for that, which is the "top" nut on the idler arm shaft (under the cap). then, on the next page, when describing the installation of the bracket to the frame, the fsm uses the same torque spec for the 3 bolts that hold the bracket, 70 ft-lbs. because later fsm versions list this at 105 ft-lbs, it seems likely that the '86 (and my '87) are in error for the bracket to frame nuts. in fact, the steering linkage (4wd) components diagram does not have the torque (or the three bolts/nuts themselves) for attaching the bracket to the frame, unlike the later year diagrams.
on the other hand, for the steering gear housing, it shows the same 70 ft-lbs value for the three bolts/nuts holding the steering box to the frame (and shows the bolts with torque specs on the component diagram). so, perhaps that was the original spec, and it was updated based on dealer service feedback for customer repairs/problems?
Last edited by wallytoo; Apr 27, 2022 at 10:53 AM.
My manual is for a '93, and as I said, it might not have anything to do with your rig.
Your manual probably has a page (near the front?) with "Standard Bolt Torques" like this: http://web.archive.org/web/201007280.../8standard.pdf The only bolt with 105 ft-lbs specifically is an M12-1.25 Class 9T. What does yours say?
If your bracket is held with M12 bolts, I'd suspect (as you do) that the 70 is a typo. (Remember that M12 means the bolt diameter, not the wrench size, is 12mm.)
Last edited by scope103; Apr 27, 2022 at 03:48 PM.
I actually didn't realize my manual had a standard bolt torque chart in the back so thanks for pointing that out! My bolt is an M12-1.25 class 7T and the chart shows it as 70 ft.-lb. There's also another chart that lists the idler arm bracket as 70 again for a second time so I don't think it's a typo and I think wallytoo was on the right track. I guess it actually is 70 and the updated spec is 105. Thanks for clearing that up guys!
Apr 26, 2022 | 05:46 PM
