Suspension TECH Including Brakes, Wheels and tires

          
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Old 03-02-2026, 06:30 PM
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dv657172 dv657172 is offline
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Default Front Shock Install Question

Its been quite a while since I have replaced front shocks on a stock GTO so this is probably a dumb question but...

The 1965 Service Manual says to pre-tighten the Upper Stud nut until it bottoms out at end of steel threads (see NOTE in Service Manual picture). Then it says to torque it to 60-120 lb ft of torque in Step 5.

If its bottomed out on the threads how can you torque it down any more?

Also the torque range is pretty wide so how tight do you guys tighten the Upper Stud nut?

Using KYB if it matters any
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1965 GTO Cameo White, Red Interior - 389, ST300 numbers matching
1965 GTO Black, Black Interior "Post" car - 389, M-20 numbers matching
1965 GTO Silver, Black Interior 100% dedicated drag car w/1968 400(461), 16x Heads, TH400, 3.90 9" Rear 1.656 60' 7.566 90.057 (1/8th)
1971 GTO Black (orig. Quezal Gold), Gold Interior - 400, TH400 numbers matching
1972 GTO Cardinal Red, Black Interior - 455, TH400 almost numbers matching
  #2  
Old 03-03-2026, 12:29 AM
TXSTARFIRE TXSTARFIRE is offline
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I think pre tightening just means to run it down until it bottoms and then torque it. I question the torque value given, isnt that upper shaft 3/8-24? 60-120 lb ft is what a head bolt or main bearing cap bolt is torqued to.

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Old 03-03-2026, 09:50 AM
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dv657172 dv657172 is offline
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Yes I think the upper shaft thread is 3/8-24. I was surprised by the difference in torque settings between the lower bolts and the top nut

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1965 GTO Cameo White, Red Interior - 389, ST300 numbers matching
1965 GTO Black, Black Interior "Post" car - 389, M-20 numbers matching
1965 GTO Silver, Black Interior 100% dedicated drag car w/1968 400(461), 16x Heads, TH400, 3.90 9" Rear 1.656 60' 7.566 90.057 (1/8th)
1971 GTO Black (orig. Quezal Gold), Gold Interior - 400, TH400 numbers matching
1972 GTO Cardinal Red, Black Interior - 455, TH400 almost numbers matching
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Old 03-03-2026, 10:31 AM
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65 Lamnas 65 Lamnas is online now
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Any time I replace front shocks on a car, I tighten the nut until the OD of the bushing matches the OD of the washer.

At that point, it won’t be “torqued”, so I’ll use a jam nut or pal nut. It’s why most front shocks (including KYB) come with the jam nut in the hardware pack with the new shock.

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Old 03-03-2026, 10:51 AM
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Thanks 65 Lamnas. That sounds like a good strategy

DV

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1965 GTO Cameo White, Red Interior - 389, ST300 numbers matching
1965 GTO Black, Black Interior "Post" car - 389, M-20 numbers matching
1965 GTO Silver, Black Interior 100% dedicated drag car w/1968 400(461), 16x Heads, TH400, 3.90 9" Rear 1.656 60' 7.566 90.057 (1/8th)
1971 GTO Black (orig. Quezal Gold), Gold Interior - 400, TH400 numbers matching
1972 GTO Cardinal Red, Black Interior - 455, TH400 almost numbers matching
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Old 03-03-2026, 11:10 PM
TXSTARFIRE TXSTARFIRE is offline
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Maybe it is supposed to be 60-120 lb in?

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Old 03-03-2026, 11:28 PM
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Yes, it is a misprint. Go to the TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS at the end of the section, it shows 60-120 lb. in.

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