i was just wondering if someone could explain to me the importance of torqueing the bolts on the brackets when you install the bar. what negative effects are there if i didnt. also this is kind of embarassing, but could someone explain to me how to use a torque wrench? i borrowed it from autozone and hod no clue (neither did they) how to set it so i can torque it to 30 lbs or so.

 

IIRC, 35 ft lbs is what you need, but I don't have a copy of the FSM with me to be 100% (FSTB). Don't over torque or you run the chance of breaking a bolt.

 

Torqueing those nuts isn't as important as people make it out to be. The Factory recomends some rediculously light torque like 30lbs. That may be fine and dandy for the OEM cushy suspension but mine always get loose if I only torque it down the 30. I have a nice torque wrench and I never break it out for that funny business.

The theory is that those studs are designed as shear studs. AKA: They break when the geometry in the front ends twists past a predetermined point. But IIRC nobody on the .org has ever had that happen and I'm sure there have been tons of instances in which somebody thought they needed to be really tight. So just bring it down to a good firm tightness on a 9" socket wrench.

Also, these OEM torque ratings kinda go by the wayside when you begin to use aftermarket parts. Only on the precise engine/tranny bolts do I use the FSM torque specs. Everything else gets a dose of extra torque. I've found it to be true that unless that is done they just vibrate loose from my stiff suspension.

 

Don't overtighten em too much - I learned the hard way
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=338581

 

ok so that just leaves the question of how to use a torque wrench..

 

I did them pretty much as tight as it would go w/ out leaning on the wrench, then just a tad snugger, no probs here

 

That's what I did too, then I bought a torque wrench. Using your method, it came out to be like 5 lbs. 30 pounds isn't THAT little. I'd say, tight (what you have) + 2 turns.

I got a torque wrench from Lappens for 10 bucks.

 

it depends on the wrench if there is some numbers on the handle and you could twist it then twist it to the desired setting and twist until you hear the click, others have a dial on the socket part that looks like a scale with a needle with those you would turn until the needle is on the torque desired. hope this helps.

 

so i should set it to 30 and turn it till it clicks?

 

^Thats right. It will continue tightening past the click if you continue so they only work if you stop right at the click. I always do it twice per bolt too.

 

remember when your finished to "relax" the torque wrench by setting it back to 0. So i take it you don't torque your lug nuts?

 

The need to torque lug nuts is another overkill precaution. Go until they are tight. Not overly tight. I turn my impact to the lowest setting which is 150lb/ft and I've never had rotor warping issues. I go for a spirited drive about 5 minutes in length and come back and tighten them again.

 

as MrGone would say, "Torque it till it breaks, then back off a quarter turn."

 

One reason you set the torque to a certain maximum level is if you ever have to remove the nuts in the future. The levels specified should be tight enough to hold the nut but light enough to remove it after time has done its thing to both nut and bolt.

The only time when tighter is better is on a date.

 

shoot, i didn't even know what a torque wrench was. give me a sodder iron though and ill show you a thing or two.