Torque specs are all over the place

[thejon]

I'm finally getting around to replacing my rear struts on my 03 Toyota Highlander Limited V6 FWD (had to do an RMA with Rock Auto, don't even get me started).
I'm trying to find the torque specs for the upper three mounting bolts, the bottom two bolts (where it connects to the steering knuckle), and the stabilizer links. I look online and torque specs are all over the place. One video says 133 foot pounds for the bottom two bolts, another says 188, and another says 155... All for the same model.
Where can I get the legit, correct torque specs for my vehicle? Free and quick because I plan on doing it this weekend.
Help a guy out. Thank u.

 

[The Critic]

$20 to alldatadiy will solve your problem.

 

[bdcardinal]

Or donuts to a part department if they have access. At my work I have access to Ford, but not Mazda service info.

 

[HemiBenny]

If you’re DIY and you don’t want the crapshoot that is the internet, or even the local parts department, @The Critic is right, just invest a small amount and get Alldatadiy.

They have a few plans to choose from based on your needs.

 

[Timmastertech]

techinfo.toyota.com buy a short term sub and print the entire manual to a PDF

 

[The Critic]

techinfo.toyota.com buy a short term sub and print the entire manual to a PDF

That might take you days. IIRC, the sections are all split up into individual files.

 

[Timmastertech]

That might take you days. IIRC, the sections are all split up into individual files.

not quite anymore, print to PDF is pretty quick, service manual is 7 or 8 sections

 

[The_Jeff]

See if your local town library has a subscription to all data or a similar service. It's free to you the end user and you can get it through the library website.

As for the torque spec, good n tight is a valid answer in this example.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Just zip it on tight with an impact

 

[Trav]

I'm finally getting around to replacing my rear struts on my 03 Toyota Highlander Limited V6 FWD (had to do an RMA with Rock Auto, don't even get me started).
I'm trying to find the torque specs for the upper three mounting bolts, the bottom two bolts (where it connects to the steering knuckle), and the stabilizer links. I look online and torque specs are all over the place. One video says 133 foot pounds for the bottom two bolts, another says 188, and another says 155... All for the same model.
Where can I get the legit, correct torque specs for my vehicle? Free and quick because I plan on doing it this weekend.
Help a guy out. Thank u.

I have the old Alldata on DVD's. This is for the V6 but the numbers are the same for the 4.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Finished a few jobs before back surgery, and struts on 3 cars were the jobs. ( 4 struts per car). I just used an electric 1/2" drive impact gun on those bolts. I've been in a lot of shop bays in my day. Nobody had a torque wrench, not even torque sticks for the lug nuts. Take it for what it's worth. By all means, if you want to use the correct torque numbers, I wish you the best of luck getting the correct information.

 

[97prizm]

I'm finally getting around to replacing my rear struts on my 03 Toyota Highlander Limited V6 FWD (had to do an RMA with Rock Auto, don't even get me started).
I'm trying to find the torque specs for the upper three mounting bolts, the bottom two bolts (where it connects to the steering knuckle), and the stabilizer links. I look online and torque specs are all over the place. One video says 133 foot pounds for the bottom two bolts, another says 188, and another says 155... All for the same model.
Where can I get the legit, correct torque specs for my vehicle? Free and quick because I plan on doing it this weekend.
Help a guy out. Thank u.

If you can get a Chiltons or Haynes manual from your library that will give you the correct specs

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

That might take you days. IIRC, the sections are all split up into individual files.

I did it when replacing the head on my Landcruiser. Not that difficult to save it all. Probably took an hour at most. Great to have the factory manual

 

[robertcope]

CHARM has the manual online for free: https://charm.li/Toyota/2003/Highlander 2WD V6-3.0L (1MZ-FE)/Repair and Diagnosis/

 

[robertcope]

Specifically: https://charm.li/Toyota/2003/Highla...orber/Service and Repair/Rear Strut Assembly/

7. INSTALL REAR SHOCK ABSORBER WITH COIL SPRING
a. Install the shock absorber with the coil spring and 3 nuts.
Torque: 39 Nm (400 kgf-cm, 29 ft. Ibs.)

 

[Lubener]

Just zip it on tight with an impact

I would bet that what they do at the dealership. I doubt they look up torque specs on every fasten point that isn't all that critical.

 

[Exhaustgases]

Very few auto shop mechanics spend the time looking up torque specs, especially for suspension work.
You can measure the studs or bolts and look at a standard torque chart. Even an ai bot can find that sort of thing in a pinch I'd think.

 

[Snagglefoot]

From the OP’s numbers the middle one of 155 is between 13% and 20 % of the other two numbers. The pros in the shops are giving it two ugga duggas.

 

[thejon]

I have the old Alldata on DVD's. This is for the V6 but the numbers are the same for the 4.

View attachment 300034

Thank you! . I noticed this is for the front. Do you think the values are the same for the rear?

 

[thejon]

Specifically: https://charm.li/Toyota/2003/Highlander 2WD V6-3.0L (1MZ-FE)/Repair and Diagnosis/Steering and Suspension/Suspension/Suspension Strut / Shock Absorber/Service and Repair/Rear Strut Assembly/

7. INSTALL REAR SHOCK ABSORBER WITH COIL SPRING
a. Install the shock absorber with the coil spring and 3 nuts.
Torque: 39 Nm (400 kgf-cm, 29 ft. Ibs.)

This is awesome, thank you!!