2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Suspension & Steering Torque Specs

OEM-referenced torque, socket, and thread specs for the 48 front and rear suspension and steering fasteners on the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — including the Upper Control Arm Pivot Bolts (Frame Side) (torques to 140 ft-lbs (Gen2 GMT900 / Gen3 K2XX), 24 mm (nut side); hold bolt head socket, M16x1.5 or M18 thread). Every value is safety-critical; verify against your service manual and use a calibrated torque wrench. Full bolt specs for the rest of the vehicle are linked below.

Control Arms & Ball Joints torque — 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

On the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the control arms & ball joints fasteners are: Upper Control Arm Pivot Bolts (Frame Side) (torques to 140 ft-lbs (Gen2 GMT900 / Gen3 K2XX), 24 mm (nut side); hold bolt head socket, M16x1.5 or M18 thread); Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Nut (torques to 111 lb-ft, 27mm socket, M18 x 1.5 thread); Upper Control Arm Frame Bolt (torques to 140 lb-ft, 21mm socket, M14 x 2.0 thread); Lower Ball Joint Nut (torques to 74 ft-lbs (Gen1 GMT800 1999-2006 — castle nut with cotter pin); 81 ft-lbs (Gen2 GMT900 2007-2013 — flange nut); 37 ft-lbs + 130 degrees (Gen2 GMT900 alternate spec / Gen3 K2XX 2014 with TTY captured-w, 24 mm socket, M20x1.5 stud (typical lower ball joint stud) thread); Wheel Bearing Hub Assembly Bolts (to knuckle) (torques to 133 ft-lbs (2007-2013 per Merchant Auto FSM); 75 ft-lbs (1999-2006 Gen1 per 1A Auto video; note: may be an earlier model value), 21 mm socket, M14x1.5 (14 mm bolt) thread); Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Nut (torques to 37 lb-ft, 21mm socket, M14 x 1.5 thread); Upper Ball Joint Nut (torques to 37 ft-lbs (all generations), 18 mm socket, M16x1.5 castle nut (typical) thread); Lower Control Arm Frame Bolt (torques to 107 lb-ft, 21mm socket, M14 x 2.0 thread). Suspension and steering bolts are safety-critical — use a calibrated torque wrench, replace any prevailing-torque (locking) nut that has been removed, and confirm the value against your service manual before reassembly.

Struts, Shocks & Springs torque — 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

On the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the struts, shocks & springs fasteners are: Leaf Spring Front Eye Bolt (torques to 95 lb-ft, 21mm socket, M14 x 2.0 thread); Rear Shock Absorber Lower Bolt (torques to 70 lb-ft, 18mm socket, M12 x 1.75 thread); Front Shock Absorber Upper Mount Nuts (Gen2/Gen3 coil-over type) (torques to 37 ft-lbs, 15 mm socket, M10x1.5 (studs on upper mount) thread); Leaf Spring U-Bolt (torques to 52 lb-ft, 5/8 inch socket, 7/16-20 thread); Shock Absorber Upper Nut (torques to 18 lb-ft, 13mm socket, M10 x 1.5 thread); Rear Shock Absorber Upper Bolt (torques to 70 lb-ft, 18mm socket, M12 x 1.75 thread); Rear Shock Absorber Lower Bolt / Nut (torques to 85 ft-lbs (upper and lower, 1500 series per Merchant Auto 2007+ FSM); 70 ft-lbs (rear axle side per some Gen2 sources), 21 mm (bolt) + 21 mm (nut) socket, M12x1.75 thread); Front Shock Absorber Lower Mount Bolt (Gen2/Gen3) (torques to 37 ft-lbs (Shock Module to Lower Control Arm — Gen2/Gen3 per FSM), 18 mm socket, M12x1.75 thread). Suspension and steering bolts are safety-critical — use a calibrated torque wrench, replace any prevailing-torque (locking) nut that has been removed, and confirm the value against your service manual before reassembly.

Sway Bar & Stabilizer Links torque — 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

On the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the sway bar & stabilizer links fasteners are: Rear Stabilizer Bar Bracket Bolt (torques to 37 lb-ft, 15mm socket, M10 x 1.5 thread); Stabilizer Bar Link Nut (torques to 17 lb-ft, 18mm socket, M10 x 1.5 thread); Sway Bar End Links (Front) (torques to 17 ft-lbs (Gen2 GMT900 2007-2013 per Merchant Auto); 89 in-lbs (Gen1 GMT800 1999-2007 per repair video referencing OEM spec), 15 mm or 13 mm (varies by design) socket, M10x1.5 (typical end link nut) thread); Sway Bar Bracket Bolts (Front) (torques to 37 ft-lbs, 15 mm socket, M10x1.5 thread); Stabilizer Bar Bracket Bolt (torques to 37 lb-ft, 13mm socket, M10 x 1.5 thread); Rear Stabilizer Bar Link Bolt (torques to 44 lb-ft, 15mm socket, M10 x 1.5 thread). Suspension and steering bolts are safety-critical — use a calibrated torque wrench, replace any prevailing-torque (locking) nut that has been removed, and confirm the value against your service manual before reassembly.

Steering (Tie Rods & Linkage) torque — 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

On the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the steering (tie rods & linkage) fasteners are: Drag Link End Nut (torques to 44 lb-ft, 21mm socket, M14 x 1.5 thread); Power Steering Pump Mounting Bolt (torques to 37 lb-ft, 15mm socket, M10 x 1.5 thread); Pitman Arm Nut (torques to 184 lb-ft, 30mm socket, M20 x 1.5 thread); Steering Column Bracket Bolt (torques to 18 lb-ft, 13mm socket, M10 x 1.5 thread); Tie Rod End Nut (torques to 44 lb-ft, 21mm socket, M14 x 1.5 thread); Steering Gear Box Mounting Bolt (torques to 110 lb-ft, 21mm socket, M14 x 2.0 thread); Steering Knuckle to Hub Bolt (torques to 133 lb-ft, 18mm socket, M12 x 1.75 thread); Track Bar Axle Bolt (torques to 110 lb-ft, 21mm socket, M14 x 2.0 thread). Suspension and steering bolts are safety-critical — use a calibrated torque wrench, replace any prevailing-torque (locking) nut that has been removed, and confirm the value against your service manual before reassembly.

Wheel Hub & Bearing torque — 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

On the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the wheel hub & bearing fasteners are: Hub Bearing Retaining Bolt (torques to 177 lb-ft, 18mm socket, M12 x 1.75 thread); Front Wheel Hub / Axle Nut (4WD) (torques to 177 ft-lbs (1999-2009); 188 ft-lbs (2010+), 35 mm or 36 mm socket socket, M28x1.5 or 1-5/16"-18 (large spindle nut) thread). Suspension and steering bolts are safety-critical — use a calibrated torque wrench, replace any prevailing-torque (locking) nut that has been removed, and confirm the value against your service manual before reassembly.

Other Suspension Fasteners torque — 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

On the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the other suspension fasteners fasteners are: Torsion Bar Adjuster Bolt (Gen1 GMT800 Only) (torques to No specific torque spec — turn bolt to achieve desired ride height. Crossmember to frame bushing bolt: 70 ft-lbs., 18 mm socket, 18 mm bolt thread); Transmission Crossmember Bolt (torques to 70 lb-ft, 18mm socket, M12 x 1.75 thread); Transmission Crossmember Bolts (to frame) (torques to 85 ft-lbs, 18 mm socket, M12x1.75 thread); Torsion Bar Adjuster Bolt (torques to Variable, 18mm socket, M12 x 1.75 thread); Rear Axle Vent Tube Bolt (torques to 60 lb-in, 8mm socket, M6 x 1.0 thread); Lug Nuts (torques to 140 ft-lbs (190 Nm), 22mm (13/16") socket, M14 x 1.5 thread). Suspension and steering bolts are safety-critical — use a calibrated torque wrench, replace any prevailing-torque (locking) nut that has been removed, and confirm the value against your service manual before reassembly.

How to torque Silverado 1500 suspension & steering fasteners

Torque suspension and steering fasteners with the vehicle at ride height (wheels loaded) wherever a bushing is involved — tightening a control-arm or sway-bar bushing bolt with the suspension hanging pre-loads the rubber and it fails early. Clean the threads, start every fastener by hand to avoid cross-threading, and make the final pass with a calibrated torque wrench rather than an impact gun. Ball-joint and tie-rod castle nuts take a new cotter pin; never back a castle nut off to line up the hole — only tighten to the next slot.

Related lookups

Loading interactive lookup…