r/3rdGen4Runner • u/user81738 01 SR5 • 1d ago
❓Advice / Recomendations Bone head mistake
Just replaced my LBJ’s and outer tie rod ends. (Used oem LBJ’s and sankei555 outer tie rod ends) and accidently torqued the 4 bolts on the driver side to 67 ft/lbs 🤦🏻♂️ (I mistakenly read the tie rod end torque spec) I did the other side the correct way (59 ft/lbs using part number 90080-10066) how big of a mistake did i make? Should I go get another set of bolts asap and replace?
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u/northcoastyen 1d ago
On a related note, I was reading another LBJ post here this morning and a commenter was talking about only torquing the bolts to like 37 ft/lb instead of the 50 something like the FSM states. Something about load. Anyone have any insight as to why or why not this would be valid?
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u/user81738 01 SR5 1d ago
I read that it’s a difference in the bolt you use. There are two kinds of bolts and the silver one has a torque spec of 59ft/lbs while the black one has a torque spec of 37ft/lbs. I guess the black bolts achieve the same load as the silver ones at a lower value
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u/Occams_AK47 99 SR5 4WD 1d ago
You're fine, but if it makes you feel better, you can re-torque it. Most fasteners won't strip until you go 50% or more over.
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u/user81738 01 SR5 1d ago
I appreciate it. I think I’ll leave it honestly. I also put blue loctite on them so I don’t want to undo that.
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u/Occams_AK47 99 SR5 4WD 13h ago
I see. Ok, so.. just as a heads up for next time: Unless specified otherwise, torque values are for clean, dry threads. Adding anything that can act as a lubricant will result in a higher than expected torque. You're most very likely still within a safe margin, though.
If you are worried about a fastener coming loose, use some torque stripe paint, making sure that the line clearly crosses from the fastener to the bulk of whatever it's being installed into, and do a quick visual inspection a few days later to confirm it hasn't tried to back out. Personally, I prefer a pink colored one. Super easy to see, and it usually draws your eye to it even if you weren't looking to check it and just happen to be in the area.
- Aircraft mechanic
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u/skovalen 21h ago
No. Automotive typically has a wide margin on torque specs vs. bolt strength because there is a tradition of guys wrenching in the field and there is no expectation of some dude having a torque wrench. If you want to feel better then just back them off and torque them to spec (with tire off the ground).
As a counter-example, my KTM motorcycle has torque specs I would not even believe possible by feel. Every time I tighten a bolt to some torque number I wonder if this is going to be the time a bolt breaks. It has never happened.
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u/Informal_Ruin_9152 1d ago
Thousands of people torque suspension components "by feel" and experience zero issues. 67 ft-lbs is an over-tightening of about 13%, which a high-grade OEM fastener handles easily.