Head Bolt Replacement? Too Replace Or Not

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Oct 22, 2008 | 09:53 AM

JPQuattro

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Head Bolt Replacement? Too Replace Or Not

Wonder what everyone's opinions are on to replace head bolts or not on a 2.8 30V head job. I have mine all apart & am trying to decide to buy new ones or not as I hear the bolts may stretch and is recommended.

Oct 22, 2008 | 09:56 AM

~~4Rings::G2 boosted::~~

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Yes, the head bolts stretch when torqued down, they need to be replaced each time

Oct 22, 2008 | 09:59 AM

VMRWheels

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Re: Head Bolt Replacement? Too Replace Or Not

They need to be replaced. I don't know how much the ones for Audis are, but the BMW ones are only like $30-60 dollars for the set, so they're not too expensive to begin with.

-Don

Oct 22, 2008 | 10:00 AM

4Driver4

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It's not really a matter of opinion. The bolts are designed for single use.

Oct 22, 2008 | 10:57 AM

@wesome

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you can't retorque them in, they snap =) ask me how I know.. or BJC :P

Oct 22, 2008 | 03:07 PM

Melinko bq

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Made to stretch. Torque to xx ft*lbs + additional 180 deg. The 180 deg is stretch thru elastic...

They don't return to their original shape after stretched, so they can't be turned too much more before snapping after removal. If you try your luck at the 'additional' 180, you may find yourself with a major headache.

I'll admit, I reused them once... it's a long story... and nothing happened, but I doubt I'll ever do it again and I highly recommend replacing them. As others said, it's not really an option.