bolt torques -- do they really matter?

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Sep 26, 2005 | 07:50 AM

-OvO-

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bolt torques -- do they really matter?

I don't usually use a torque wrench on most fasteners, it's just a big PITA. I have a fair bit of shadetree experience, wrenching my own cars, but I just work by the rule that I want fasteners to be about as tight as possible without stripping or deforming the threads. I work by feel -- small fasteners use smaller tools and so it's harder to apply high torque. Big fasteners, big tools, more torque. Am I crazy?

Sep 26, 2005 | 08:31 AM

A8CT

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From: CT

Well, it depends. You can get away with it by "feel" for some stuff but I always

use a torque wrench for things like valve cover gaskets, water pump, suspension, wheels.

Bob

Sep 26, 2005 | 09:11 AM

PaulW

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From: Wilbur by the Sea

Tight as possible without stripping

This is one that you don't want to do. You'd be surprised how fasteners work when properly torqued, which is usually far away from tight as possible without stripping.

I would stay away from that, but I don't think that is what you meant....I'm like you, don't use them except for certain items like wheel bolts, and other critical applications.

I also found that I did not torque stuff tight enough when I changed control arms.