ball-joint bolt torque [How to spot a stretch bolt???]

[Ameer Antar]

I guess I will not stretch the ball-joint bolts and see what happens. A little confusing to say the least... Also on the type-44, the subframe bolts are definitely stretch type b/c it clearly shows it in the Bentley (unlike the ball-joint bolts), and also when I tried to reuse the old subframe bolts, they wouldn't tighten to the proper torque. They say to also always replace the subframe bolts, that's why I had initially made the connection. Thanks for the info.

-Ameer

----Original Message----
From: "Ingo D. Rautenberg" <ingo at waratap.com>
Date: 3/30/04 10:08:24 AM
Subject: Re: ball-joint bolt torque [How to spot a stretch bolt???]

They say to always replace with new because it's a safety-critical area.  To
make this pinch bolt a stretch bolt would make no sense.  I believe that
almost any manufacturer recommends replacing these type of bolts any time a
ball joint is serviced.  The only true stretch bolts are the head bolts.  If
you take one a new one and put it next to a used one, you'll see why they're
called stretch bolts (1/4" longer after use).  I don't believe the subframe
bolts are stretch bolts.  At least not on the Urq.  Or at least not to that
degree.

Ingo

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ameer Antar" <antar at comcast.net>
To: "Quattro List" <quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 11:33 PM
Subject: Re: ball-joint bolt torque [How to spot a stretch bolt???]


> (This is for a 5kT type-44)
>
> >Not a stretch bolt, but make sure the thread is
> >facing rearwards.
>
> So why do they say in the Bentley to always replace the ball-joint bolt? I
have my suspicion that it's a stretch bolt b/c of that and b/c it says so in
the manual. The confusion is b/c it doesn't say anything on another page.
How can you tell if the bolt is a stretch type? The bolts for the subframe
are s'posed to be stretched and they had a pointed tip at the end. Is that a
standard for stretch bolts or something? I really want to be sure, cuz it
could be pretty dangerous to stretch the wrong bolt or not stretching the
right one... I'm sure a lot of people have BTDT...any advice??? TIA.
>
> -Ameer
>
>


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.642 / Virus Database: 410 - Release Date: 3/24/2004