U-Bolt torquing
Thread Starter
Holley HP EFI w/TPI
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 553
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From: Kanata ON
U-Bolt torquing
I must be missing something, I'm trying to torque the u-joint u-bolts on the half shalfts.
I cannot get my torque wrench to fit in the space, how are these nuts properly torqued?
I cannot get my torque wrench to fit in the space, how are these nuts properly torqued?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento CA
I use a medium strenght thread locking compound and just hand torque them. 15ftlbs isn't a lot, but if your using a small 1/4" drive ratchet with a 12-point socket (or an 8mm box wrench) then your not going to really strip anything too easily.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 723
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Torque wrench in tight places
You can likely torque 15ftlbs pretty good by feel, just like installing a spark plug.
But, if you like to torque to spec, which is my first choice, here is a method I use when I can not get a torque wrench easily on something.
*get a simple open ended by closed end combination wrench, 1/2" lets say for this example.
*put the 1/2" torque wrench square driver in the open end of the wrench and the closed end of your combination wrench on the bolt to be torqued.
*click the torque wrench around until this contraption is straight.
*get out your tape measure and measure the distance between the center of the torque wrench handle and the center of the closed end of the combination wrench, call it "A" (long distance)
*measure the center of the torque wrench 1/2" square driver to the center of the torque wrench handle, call it "B" (length of torque wrench).
*Reduce the required setting on your torque wrench by "B" divided by "A" since the torque is directly proportional to the distance.
*torque the fastener.
*For bolt sizes bigger than 1/2", like say 3/4", just use a 3/4" wrench and shim 1/4" in the open end to attach the torque wrench.
*Ditto method for smaller sizes with the 3/8" torque wrench.
Hope this helps
But, if you like to torque to spec, which is my first choice, here is a method I use when I can not get a torque wrench easily on something.
*get a simple open ended by closed end combination wrench, 1/2" lets say for this example.
*put the 1/2" torque wrench square driver in the open end of the wrench and the closed end of your combination wrench on the bolt to be torqued.
*click the torque wrench around until this contraption is straight.
*get out your tape measure and measure the distance between the center of the torque wrench handle and the center of the closed end of the combination wrench, call it "A" (long distance)
*measure the center of the torque wrench 1/2" square driver to the center of the torque wrench handle, call it "B" (length of torque wrench).
*Reduce the required setting on your torque wrench by "B" divided by "A" since the torque is directly proportional to the distance.
*torque the fastener.
*For bolt sizes bigger than 1/2", like say 3/4", just use a 3/4" wrench and shim 1/4" in the open end to attach the torque wrench.
*Ditto method for smaller sizes with the 3/8" torque wrench.
Hope this helps
Last edited by 20mercury; Jan 31, 2011 at 10:54 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Marietta ga
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
You may be right...but I never had a problem with that in 26 years of Vettes...
But....I guess I could see it....
So far so good...
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 624
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From: Marietta ga
When they are too tight the outer race (cap) and bearings wear prematurely where they are pinched. Over tightening basically forces the cap into an egg shape.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 281
Likes: 9
From: New England
What I do is put a bolt of same size in my Vice and torque it up to spec a few times with the torque wrench and then with a box wrench a few times ,this will give me a good feel by hand what 15 ftlb feels like.
Works for me!
I've broke many bolts by Getting them "freakin tight"
Works for me!
I've broke many bolts by Getting them "freakin tight"
