Daihatsu Charade 1987 Workshop Manual

Let me tell you something about aftermarket manuals. They get you halfway and leave you guessing on torque specs, wiring colors, and whether that bolt is supposed to be 17 ft-lb or 22. I’ve seen guys strip head bolts on a Charade because they trusted a reprint that rounded numbers down. That’s why this 538-page factory Daihatsu Charade 1987 Workshop Manual from Daihatsu Motor Co. matters. It’s the actual documentation the techs in Osaka used, not some scanned mess with missing pages. If you’re working on the chassis, drivetrain, or electrical system of a 1987 Charade, you need the original.

Clutch and Manual Transmission: Factory Rebuild Procedure

Sections 2 and 3 cover the clutch and manual gearbox. The manual gives you the exact sequence for clutch disc alignment and the spline count on the input shaft. For the Manual Transmission Manual Transmission disassembly, you get the clearance specs for synchro rings and the preload on the taper bearings. I’ve had apprentices try to “feel” the preload — that’s how you get a whining second gear. Use the factory numbers on page 1-3 for the tightening torque table. That page lists every bolt from the clutch cover to the transmission case in foot-pounds and kilogram-meters. Do not guess.

Front and Rear Suspension: Alignment Specs and Bushings

Sections 5 and 6 cover front axle & suspension and rear axle & suspension. The manual shows you the factory camber and caster settings — something aftermarket databases often round to the nearest degree. You get the exact torsion bar adjustment procedure for the front and the shock absorber torque values. Suspension work without OEM specs leads to uneven tire wear and a pull to the right. This manual gives you the numbers. It also lists the special service tools (SSTs) you need for bushing removal, which saves you from mangling a control arm with a pickle fork.

4 Systems You Cannot Diagnose Without Wiring Diagrams

Section 10 is Body Electrical. It has the wiring diagrams for the entire car — headlights, wipers, interior lights, and the charging system. The General Information section (page 1-3) shows you how to read the diagrams and what each abbreviation code means. For example, you’ll see codes for the Electrical system connectors that are unique to Daihatsu. If you’re chasing a short in a 1987 Charade, you need the factory color codes. Aftermarket wiring diagrams often swap ground and power. Get the real one.

Torque Table on Page 1-3: Why Trust Factory Values

Page 1-3 contains the Table of Tightening Torque. This is not a generic chart — these are the values Daihatsu tested for the Charade’s specific fasteners. For the cylinder head, for the oil pan, for the suspension bolts. I’ve seen knock-off manuals list the same torque for a drain plug and a wheel nut. That’s how you crack a housing. The factory manual also includes the Table of Service Specifications (same page) with all the fluid capacities in US quarts and imperial pints. For the Transmission Manual Transmission, you get the exact oil volume. Overfill a manual trans? The synchros drag. Underfill? You burn the bearings.

What Does the Appendix Cover?

Section 11, the Appendix, has the special service tool (SST) list and the overall tightening torque references. It’s the catch-all for specs that don’t fit neatly into a single system. If you need the part number for a clutch alignment tool or the exact thread pitch for a brake line, it’s in there. The appendix also cross-references the Type CB and CL engine manuals, which are separate books. This is strictly the chassis manual — but the procedures for drivetrain removal and reinstallation are complete.

Precision Without the Guesswork

You get 538 pages of step-by-step instructions, but the text doesn’t mince words. The foreword says it was published in April 1987. The content is direct: schematic diagram of components, servicing procedure, troubleshooting. No fluff, no filler. For the Suspension work, you get the jacking points and the supporting points of safety stands (page 1-6). That page has the exact lift points for a two-post hoist. Use the wrong lift point and you’ll bend a rocker panel. This manual tells you where to put the pads.

If you’re a DIY mechanic or a home garage enthusiast, you know the frustration of buying a manual that skips the critical steps. You get the instruction to “install in reverse order” with no torque spec. That’s how you end up with a loose subframe bolt. This factory manual gives you every tightening torque in the table, every wiring color, every SST number. You don’t have to interpolate. You don’t have to call a dealer. You have the same information a dealership tech had in 1987.

You want to rebuild the Transmission on your 1987 Charade? The manual walks you through syncrho inspection and gear clearance checks. You need to replace a wheel bearing? Section 5 tells you the press-fit depth and the correct torque for the axle nut. There is no room for interpretation. The OEM printed this to train their own mechanics. It’s not written for “general use” — it’s written for the Daihatsu Charade chassis specifically.

Related manuals you might need for other years or specific systems: Daihatsu Charade 1978 Technical Manual covers the earlier carbureted models, DAIHATSU Charade 1987 Workshop Manual is the same one you’re looking at (page for cross-reference), and 1988 Daihatsu Charade Wiring Diagram – Factory OEM Manual expands the electrical coverage into the next model year. All factory originals, no reprints.

Does this manual cover the engine, or just the chassis?

It covers the chassis systems: transmission, suspension, steering, brakes, body, and electrical. The engine (CB, CL types) has its own separate manual. This book references those engine manuals for procedures that require engine removal or disassembly.

What torque values are listed in the table?

The Table of Tightening Torque on page 1-3 covers all major fasteners for the drivetrain, suspension, and body. Values are in both ft-lb and N·m. For example, the clutch cover bolts torque is 14 ft-lb.

Are the wiring diagrams in color?

The manual prints black-and-white diagrams with labeled wire colors using abbreviation codes. The General Information section explains the code system (e.g., R = Red, L = Blue). It’s easy to follow once you know the codes.

Can I use this for a right-hand-drive model?

Yes. The manual covers both left- and right-hand-drive configurations. The steering section (Section 7) includes separate diagrams for each. The wiring and brake lines are the same regardless of drive side.

You’re tired of paying $50 for a PDF that’s missing pages 20-40 and has smudged torque values. This is a clean scan of the factory original, produced by Daihatsu Motor Co. in April 1987. 538 pages. Every section index from 1 to 11. You can Download the Factory Manual right now and get back to fixing the car instead of hunting down specs.