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Just bought a second hand strut brace, it is being re-polished at the moment

Question is, when installing do the nuts have to be tightened with a torque wrench or just by feel
Thanks for replies in advance

As long as they are tight would be fine

Its not like they are on a critical rotating mass like flywheel bolts where coming loose can have catastrophic consequences..

i would say, do it to torque spec.. they have torque specs for a reason plus the shocks are always moving so you would want the right amount of torque to tighten them up

I've been told by hand, as hard as you can.
Shocks shouldn't be moving regardless.

Unless you are anal you can.
Engine components I can understand.

Also, not to mention you need to get a torque wrench calibrated regularly, to ensure it's accuracy. If you don't it's probably just as good as torquing it up by hand...

David from Mania advised not to over tighten them, as they can snap.

philz wrote:Also, not to mention you need to get a torque wrench calibrated regularly, to ensure it's accuracy. If you don't it's probably just as good as torquing it up by hand...

Apologies for being off-topic, but where can you get a good torque wrench? What would you say is the median price?

Any of the usual suspects will be able to supply a good tprque wrench. If you look at Haynes mags you will see that they show simple visual indicator tw's and these are not expensive. Like most things you weigh up how much use do you get out of it and do you spend a $150 for a topliner and use it once per ann or of it is crtical borrow one for the day.

You can tighten by hand but be careful, it's not unknown for the bolts to snap.

Obviously you gotta know what you are torquing up.

On a small thin bolt like the strut bolts, you wouldn't torque it up the same as wheel lug nuts.

Just be wary of the things you are doing, use some common sense and you will be fine. '

As for good torque wrenches, don't get digital ones, Snap on for ballers, but Kincrome and Sidchrome will do the job just fine for your average backyard mechanic.

I would torqe them.

I have snaped mine I'm not a beef cake or tanky in any way, most people who know me say their man-hood is thicker than my arm...

David from Mania advised not to over tighten them, as they can snap.

Or the nuts can strip fairly easily......dont ask me how I know this. In the absence of a torque wrench I'd suggest "nicely firm" rather than as "tight as you can" manual torque settings.

Hammer wrote:Apologies for being off-topic, but where can you get a good torque wrench? What would you say is the median price?

I personally don't like to skimp on tools. But I'm just a poor uni student Sidchrome and around that level, around mid-200s. My guess would be that is around mid-high end of the spectrum with Snap-on, etc being high end.

Hammer wrote: Apologies for being off-topic, but where can you get a good torque wrench? What would you say is the median price?

Until recently there was a shop near home that sold 2nd hand tools. You will probably find that most cities, large towns have similar. I picked up a pair of Aussie made Warren & Brown torque wrenches, as well as a number of other bits and bobs. The tools can cost more than some of the new stuff at Bunnings/Super Cheap... but they will out last me.

There is also flea bay.

http://shop.ebay.com.au/?_from=R40&_trk ... Categories

J