Torque specifications

This article contains the recommended torque specifications for various critical bolts in the DeLorean.

Tightening Bolts

Bolts should not just be tightened as hard as you can. The hollow banjo bolts on the fuel lines are fairly fragile, and will snap if over-tightened. The holes threaded into the aluminum engine block can easily be stripped by over-tightening, and even the steel threads in other parts of the car may be compromised by tightening with too much force. You shouldn't under-tighten the bolts either, as this may result in excess vibration of the joined parts and cause breakages or other failures to occur.

The DeLorean Workshop Manual includes various torque specifications, which were later updated by two service bulletins, ST-09-7/81 and ST-24-10/81, which can be found in the DeLorean Technical Manual. Both of these can be found online in the Service Bulletins section of the DMCNews website. The bulletins also include the thread sizes for the various bolts.

Warning About Torque Limits

Torque specifications should not be exceeded. Doing so may compromise the threads and cause operational failure of the joint, most likely while under the strain of driving. Always use a properly adjusted and calibrated torque wrench when tightening bolts.

Chassis	Thread Size	NM	Ft. Lb.
Fuel tank cover plate	M8 x 13	22	16
Fuel tank front	M6 x 10	11	8
Horn bracket attachment	M6 x 10	11	8
Radiator mounting bracket to frame	M8 x 13	22	16
Horn to bracket	M6 x 10	11	8
Radiator stay bracket to frame	M6 x 10	11	8
Rear Suspension	Thread Size	NM	Ft. Lb.
Trailing arm bush attachment	M8 x 13	22	16
Lower link both ends	1/2" x 19	80	60
Upper link both ends	1/2" x 19	80	60
Trailing arm hub to carrier	M12 x 19	75	55
Outer drive shaft to hub	M22 x 32	370	270
Trailing arm to pivot bush	M12 x 19	75	55
Shaft to inner and outer drive shafts	M10 x 17	40	30
Parking brake cable bracket to hub carrier	M6 x 10	7	5.5
Caliper - hub carrier	7/16" x 20	55	40
Flex brake pipe attachment	3/8" x 15	16	12
Wheels	M12 x 19	80	60
Transmission and Final Drive	Thread Size	NM	Ft. Lb.
Drain and fill plugs	M10 x 17	20	15
Mounts	M8 x 13 M10 x 17	25 36	18 26
Transmission Shift Linkage	Thread Size	NM	Ft. Lb.
Auto and manual relay pivot bolts	M8 x 17	22v16
Front Suspension	Thread Size	NM	Ft. Lb.
Caliper to mounting bracket	M12	75	55
Dust shield	M8 x 13	28	20
Front disc to hub (w/Loctite 601)	M8 x 13	28	20
Stub axle to steering knuckle	M22 x 32	220	165
Hub bearing to stub shaft	M22 x 32	190	145
Upper control arm pivot bolt	1/2" x 19	80	60
Lower control arm pivot bolt	1/2" x 19	80	60
Shock absorber (upper)	3/8" x 14	28	20
Shock absorber (lower)	1/2" x 19	80	60
Stabilizer bar - lower control arm	M12 x 19	75	55
Stabilizer bar pivot (on chassis)	M10 x 17	36	26
Flex brake pipe attachment	M10 x 15	16	12
Upper ball joint to steering knuckle	7/16" x 16	70	52
Lower ball joint to steering knuckle	1/2" x 19	70	52
Engine	Thread Size	NM	Ft. Lb.
Engine Mounts	M8 x 13	25	18
A/C compressor bracket to engine	M7 x 13	16	12
Heat shields to exhaust crossover	M6 x 10	11	8
Exhaust crossover pipe to manifold	M10 x 17	40	30
'U' Bolt Catalyst to muffler	M8 x 13	15	11
Muffler support bracket on engine	M8 x 13 M10 x 17	22 30	16 22
Muffler rubber mounts	M6 x 10	11	8
Brake Lines	Thread Size	NM	Ft. Lb.
"T" connections to frame	M6 x 10 M8 x 13	11 22	8 16
Flex pipe to frame	M10 x 15	16	12
Line union through frame	M10 x 15	16	12
Radiator	Thread Size	NM	Ft. Lb.
Fan cowl to radiator	M6 x 8 M6 x 10	7	5
Steering Units	Thread Size	NM	Ft. Lb.
Lower column to universal joint to rack pinion and letter column	M8 x 13	22	16
Tie rod to steering knuckle	7/16" x 14	36	26
Tie rod lock nut	M12 x 19	65	48
Steering rack assembly to frame	M8 x 13	15	11

See Also

• DeLorean Workshop Manual
• DeLorean Technical Manual
• Torque Wrench

External Links

• Service Bulletin ST-09-7/81, hosted by DMCNews
• Service Bulletin ST-24-10/81, hosted by DMCNews