Torque Specifications?

[Guest Don Miller]

Thanks to Merle Coggins I have the steering knuckels back and the front axel bolted in place. My question is are there torque specifications for the front axel U bolts. All I can find is "tighen every month for first six months". I have general torque specs but dont known what grade the u bolts would be and dont what to over do it, like I usually end up doings. So do I use a 12" handle or a 8" handle and go as tight as I can, or do I follow the general torque guide line I have. Would this be the case for all the other nuts/bolts on parts other than the engine as well. Any thoughts, suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

[Merle Coggins]

I guess you just have to use German torque and get 'em Guettentite

Merle

[grey beard]

When I taught Ford Service School back in the seventies, we were told by a Ford engineer that the general torque specs usually shown in shop manuals - where they show one table for USS and one for SAE - are applicable for all critical fasteners, IF you know the grade of the fastener. I think you will be quite safe on your front axle if you assume a grade five fastener and go from there.

Over the past forty-plus years, I have used a photocopied chart of this type that I keep with a magnet on the side of my tool box, for nearly everything I work on, and have never gotten into trouble. Having said all this, I must admit that with the advent of torque-to-yield bolts used with meteric threads, this all goes out the window today.

Suffice to say that one of the joys of Pilothouse wrenching is the simple fact that we are safely removed from all this latter-day stuff, and can use the standard charts - or even in a pinch - Merle's "German Torque method (gutt und tite). Gesundheidt, Merle!

[Plymouthy Adams]

all bolts are graded...the standard cheapy at the hardware store in bulk and used on your wheelbarow is a grade 2..no markings at all..the addition of little hash marks on the head will tell you what ya got..if you have two looking almostcte like a disconned \ / then you simply add two the grade two standard and you have four..on up the ladder you go..all grade 8 will have the 6 marks..hardware affixed to any car frame should be grade 5 or better (3 hash marks)..the only stronger hardware will come from the aircraft industry where threads are not cut but rather rolled so as not to have a weaked section at the bottom of the cut...I have a couple cars where this is the only accepable mounting hardware..

Not only is hardware graded in this manner for strength but also in class of fit..but then again you are entering area of precision not normally used in the automobile industry.

[oldmopar]

Link to a chart

http://www.unified-eng.com/scitech/bolt/boltmarks.html

[Plymouthy Adams]

Excellent chart and thanks for the link...I have a similar chart out in the shop....this is good information and recommend that it be save for future reference on your computers..