10-01-2018, 10:22 PM
They say you learn something new every day, so maybe today is my day. But I've been wrenching on old cars, old trucks, old bikes, old boats, and old tractors since the 70's and I've never seen "condensation" on the bolts. I'm not exactly sure what is being referred to here.
However, the frame bolts on my 2014 did have a chalky white substance on them when I removed them for installation of an engine guard. I initially thought it was some type of loc-tite material. Thinking on it some more, it was probably thread lubricant used during assembly to get a more consistent torque value. This lubricant then dried over time. From personal experience, old dried grease can be worse than glue and it probably functioned as a thread lock when dried.
Nevertheless, the technique described above worked well and I have no real issues removing them. One or two sharp raps with a 3 lb hammer on a breaker bar and they were loose.
I also second the general notion that quality tools are well worth the money.
Quote:I wonder how many mechanics use torque wrenches? I’ve had a couple look askance at me for suggesting it.
I think it's becoming more common as you see steel bolts in aluminum engine blocks. It's much better to use a torque wrench than pay to fix stripped out threads.
After much complaining, I also stand in the shop for every tire change and insist they use a torque wrench to tighten my rims to a specified value. Nothing like trying to change a flat in the rain with all the lug nuts torqued to over 120 ft-lbs by some idiot in the shop using an impact at the highest setting.
And, my son recently got hired to assemble high-end bicycles in a local shop and almost every bolt has to be torqued to a specific value due to the light weight and exotic materials.
However, the frame bolts on my 2014 did have a chalky white substance on them when I removed them for installation of an engine guard. I initially thought it was some type of loc-tite material. Thinking on it some more, it was probably thread lubricant used during assembly to get a more consistent torque value. This lubricant then dried over time. From personal experience, old dried grease can be worse than glue and it probably functioned as a thread lock when dried.
Nevertheless, the technique described above worked well and I have no real issues removing them. One or two sharp raps with a 3 lb hammer on a breaker bar and they were loose.
I also second the general notion that quality tools are well worth the money.
Quote:I wonder how many mechanics use torque wrenches? I’ve had a couple look askance at me for suggesting it.
I think it's becoming more common as you see steel bolts in aluminum engine blocks. It's much better to use a torque wrench than pay to fix stripped out threads.
After much complaining, I also stand in the shop for every tire change and insist they use a torque wrench to tighten my rims to a specified value. Nothing like trying to change a flat in the rain with all the lug nuts torqued to over 120 ft-lbs by some idiot in the shop using an impact at the highest setting.
And, my son recently got hired to assemble high-end bicycles in a local shop and almost every bolt has to be torqued to a specific value due to the light weight and exotic materials.