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I have read some posts regarding the torquing of the 4 bolts that attach the rear transverse spring mount to the bottom of the differential.
You install the spring and then with the 4 bolts connected (not torqued) let the rear wheels down before torquing the bolts.
I think they get torqued to 60ft/lbs.
Mine are tight but I'm leery of torquing them to 60.
After I drive it and check them again they tighten just a hair each time I check them. It seems to always have been this way. Car runs fine and spring is good. When you check them periodically is there a tiny bit of tightening?
What do you guys do? I don't want to break anything. Thanks All.
I just replaced the rear on my 64 and after everything was done I let the car down, rolled it forward and backward to straighten the tires and then jousted the car a few times and torqued the bolts.
That is it, no need to recheck but it wouldn't hurt.
Joe
I just replaced the rear on my 64 and after everything was done I let the car down, rolled it forward and backward to straighten the tires and then jousted the car a few times and torqued the bolts.
That is it, no need to recheck but it wouldn't hurt.
Joe
Thanks Joe, were you able to torque them at 60ftlbs?
The bolts will be far from seated with the spring unloaded. If you try to seat the spring by running the bolts in you will strip the threads on the diff.
Probably as important as the torquing/tightening of these bolts is the LENGTH of the two bolts that thread into the blind holes. Too long and you risk cracking the rear cover, and too short and you risk stripping out the threads.
My recommendation is to use a small wooden dowel or a metal rod and check the exact depth of the blind holes. Provide about 3/32 to 1/8 inch clearance. Then measure and cut the bolts to length, or buy and cut longer bolts if they are already to short.
This is based on my own experience in doing this job (without creating any issues).
It's funny that everyone is concerned about torquing those bolts with the weight on the spring, but nobody mentions loosening those bolts with the weight on the spring. Wouldn't loosening them incorrectly crack the case the same as tightening them incorrectly?
I have installed the spring and tightened those bolts without cracking the case by tightening those bolts evenly, a bit at a time, just like I loosened them. Without the weight of the car on the spring.
And, yes, the correct length bolts would be a good idea.
Are you able to get the torque wrench to click at 60lbs on these bolts? Seems like the plate under the diff flexes at the ends where the bolts tighten so you don't get a accurate torque reading. Or is it my imagination?
Are you able to get the torque wrench to click at 60lbs on these bolts? Seems like the plate under the diff flexes at the ends where the bolts tighten so you don't get a accurate torque reading. Or is it my imagination?
Well, let me check.
Be right back.
Glad you asked. Mine were loose, but now they are at 60. I was surprised how loose they were. I must not have torqued them properly when I replaced the rear end five or six years ago, or they loosened. (Not likely) I doubt it's a problem if the are loose unless your wheels are coming off the ground a lot.
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