TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Jun 08, 2005 10:37 pm

I just changed the rubber bushings on the rear axle of my 67 square. It is actually an irs that I transplanted out of a 68. My problem is after installing the spring plate and then the hub cover. I went to my Bently to see what to torque the hub cover bolts to. It stated 80 ft. lbs. on page 71. As I was torquing the bolts I was going in increments of 20 lbs. at a time. As I was getting to 60 lbs. you know how you get that feeling that the bolt is about to snap, well I felt it. I decided to keep going on one of the bolts and of course it snapped, luckily it left enough to easily come out. My son went inside said he knew I was about to blow. I did'nt but I am still trying to figure why I could not get the 80 lbs. per Bently. Did I read the manual wrong? Or do you figure that the bolts were previously over torqued and subsequently already weakened. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I plan to get some new used bolts tommorow and hopefully have a rolling chassis in the morning.

Thu Jun 09, 2005 7:44 am

80 ft. pounds is quite abit. most factory lug nuts get torqued to 80 and they are 12mm. those cover bolts are like 9mm.I usually just run them down until they feel tight and give them a little tweek more.

Thu Jun 09, 2005 9:50 am

I read the Bentley and there is no torque specified for the hub cover bolts.

The 80 lbs. appears to be for the spring plate to axle bolts, which are much larger.

Thu Jun 09, 2005 10:24 am

I am torquing the 4 bolts that hold the spring plate on to the axle. Are you reading that those should be torqued to 80 lbs. ?

Thu Jun 09, 2005 10:42 am

Yes, they take a 17 mm or 19 mm socket, correct?

You said the hub cover bolts above, which are 13 or 14 mm, if I remember right. Those would probably snap at 80lbs or torque.

Thu Jun 09, 2005 10:51 am

yes they are 17mm and hold the spring plates to the axle assembly they hold the doughnut shaped rubber bushing against the spring plate. Not the bolts that hold the swing portion of the axle assembly.

Thu Jun 09, 2005 11:22 am

Ya but that's 17 mm head not thread. the actual torque in those is probable supposed to be like 40 ft lbs.

Thu Jun 09, 2005 11:57 am

The axle is the part that goes into the tranny. The cover plate with the rubber bushing just covers the torsion bar assembly.

The cover plate bolts are not 80 lbs. I would just tighten them so they feel tight, no special torque needed.

The nuts/bolts for the actual swing axle (into the tranny) are hardened bolts that can take more torque.

Thu Jun 09, 2005 12:02 pm

I'll go with that thanks for the help guys.

Thu Jun 09, 2005 3:15 pm

I have a quick chart here for torque.
Grade 8.8
8mm = 18 ft lbs
10mm= 36 ft lbs
12mm= 64 ft lbs
14mm= 103 ft lbs

Thu Jun 09, 2005 7:48 pm

Russ Wolfe wrote: I have a quick chart here for torque.
Grade 8.8
8mm = 18 ft lbs
10mm= 36 ft lbs
12mm= 64 ft lbs
14mm= 103 ft lbs
And that is the bolt size, not the size of the socket it takes. :)

Thu Jun 09, 2005 10:38 pm

Thanks for the input guys, I can happily say that I have a rolling chassis. Now it's time for the body.

Fri Jun 10, 2005 7:13 am

EverettB wrote: Russ Wolfe wrote: I have a quick chart here for torque.
Grade 8.8
8mm = 18 ft lbs
10mm= 36 ft lbs
12mm= 64 ft lbs
14mm= 103 ft lbs
And that is the bolt size, not the size of the socket it takes. :)

Dang, I forgot to draw the picture.. :wink: