tie rod clamp bolts are stripping/breaking

[Michael G.]

Re: tie rod clamp bolts are stripping/breaking

The AIM torque was specified by either the product release engineer or the fastener engineer, both of whom didn't care at all what the typical tightening torque for a 5/16, grade 5 bolt is. They only care what torque is necessary to apply the proper load to clamp the tie rod end, without damaging the clamp itself. They tested parts to determine that value and that is the torque that the car was validated with and the torque the plant used to install it.

Service and shop manuals that specify something different than the AIM are just plain wrong, don't use that value.

[Gary B.]

Re: tie rod clamp bolts are stripping/breaking

...Service and shop manuals that specify something different than the AIM are just plain wrong, don't use that value.

Mike,

Good to know. I'm sure many thought, like I did, that the chassis and service manuals gave accurate values.

Gary

[Michael G.]

Re: tie rod clamp bolts are stripping/breaking

Gary, service and shop manuals usually do have correct values, but those values are based on and almost always agree with the AIM. Normally, if its possible to use the AIM spec in service, the service spec will be based on the AIM.

Note that some service specs differ from the AIM deliberately, for a good reason, such as tapered ball joints, where the tightening technique available in the plant is not available or practical in service. Even then, any big difference in result between the two specs should be considered questionable, at best.