Rod bolts - a few questions and discussions Options

[ahdoman]

According to the experts it's imperative to replace the rod bolts when rebuilding. I've read the reason is because when they are torqued originally they stretch? Are they manufactured specifically to do that? If so, why wouldn't that make them weak? If reused why is that any different from reusing other bolts or parts under high torque? What's the science and logic behind this?

[brp986s]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/dead horse.gif)

the beauty of using a stretch gauge is that you don't need a torque wrench. Geting accurate and reproducible settings, whether using the torque wrench or torque angle methods, is limited by among other things, your ability to carry out the tightening in one smooth motion. Having to stop, especially near the end point, is going affect the effective torque, regardless of your wrench setting.

Here's the gauge in use. Lube threads and nut face with special lube, mount and zero the gauge, then tighten until 0.012" stretch (3.2 carrera).