[TR] torque tightening

Randall tr3driver at ca.rr.com
Mon Aug 25 15:34:13 MDT 2008


> I am double-checking the torque values on nuts on my front suspension.
> Some
> nuts which originally had just been guessed at, and were originally set
> too
> high, are loosened and retorqued to the correct setting.  However, a
> couple
> that can't be reached are thought to be too high.  If that's the case,
> should
> I be concerned enuf to 'take something off so I can get to them?'

Paul, the question is whether they are just a little too tight, or a lot.
If it's "a lot", then IMO you should not only remove them, but replace them!

Significant over-torquing will stress a fastener beyond it's limit, which
may leave it weakened even when it doesn't break outright.  It will also
ruin gaskets in gasketed joints, distort items being bolted (especially
sheet metal like oil pans and rocker covers) and so on.

But if it's just a little, it's probably OK to leave them alone, assume we
aren't talking about something that needs a clearance set, like front wheel
bearings or trunnion thrust washers.

> Also, is a fresh nyloc nut that much better than a thick nut and
> lockwasher?

Depends on the circumstances.  Lockwashers are better sometimes, Nylocs are
better sometimes.  For a locking taper (like tie rod ends, stub axles, rear
hubs, etc.), lockwashers are a Bad Thing.  But Nylocs won't do in places
like exhaust manifolds, pipes, etc.

Best IMO is to follow the manufacturer's lead (as they had people with
college degrees in fastener technology) unless you have some specific
failure mode to address.  Just assuming they "didn't know what they were
doing" is a recipe for disaster.

Randall


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