Am I screwed - Orion bolt overtorque

[DPV7070]

Here's the back story:

GM NV4500 to AA NV4500 to Toyota 10 spline Tcase adapter (aluminum).

I got my Orion in from Georg yesterday and since I didn't go dove hunting I figured I'd make some progress on my diesel swap.

Everything is going fine and I'm ready to start buttoning it up and I'm torquing down the long T-case bolts at 15ft-lbs then 30 ft-lbs. Well in between the 2nd to last and last bolt I set my torque wrench down and my almost 3 yr old son reset it to 55 ft-lbs and I didn't catch it!!!!

I proceed to apply torque and as I'm thinking, "this feels a little different, I better stop..."

Then I feel it...

If you've ever felt it, you know the sinking feeling.

I instantly stopped.

Fuuuuuuuuuuudge.

Additionally, it's the bolt that usually has a problem leaking. In the pic below, it's the bolt directly above the coutershaft/idler shaft.

So, here's my question:

Did I screw the proverbial pooch?

The bolt is holding 20 ft-lbs...I don't dare test further. It's got red Loctite on it, and feels like it's in there. It's not loose or anything. Everything else is torqued down to spec and everything works fine.

Should I just run it? I guess I could pull it all apart and helicoil it, but that's going to be a pain in the butt.

In my line of work our aircraft mechs "torque check" certain (critical) bolts on hourly schedules. Should I put it on my observation list, mark it's orientation, and see if it starts backing out?

I don't think I stripped it all the way out, but I definitely over torqued the bolt.

Looking for actual advice, not "you're a dumb*ss"

-Dave

 

[1 Bad FN FJ]

Well we've all done it when you feel that special feeling of the bolt stripping. And we've all at times had to say wellllll, it's going to be alright. I say its up to you, but it is sitting on the work bench, and it is easy to get to, and do you really want to worry about it? I'd hit myself in the head a few times, and cuss myself out, but I would do it right, Kevin.:whoops:

 

[cruiserjunkie]

If it slips later what's your plan to strip it down and hexicoil it? Best time for that is now with everything on the bench. If you think it will hold run it after all you'll be the one tearing it down if it doesn't.

 

[Bret]

Most of the time if you have to ask the question you already know the answer. Definitely a bummer, but if it does fail later it will pick the absolute worst time to do it, then you will kick yourself for not doing it while on the bench in the comfort of the garage.

 

[brian]

torque it to 30lbs or whatever the book says. if it takes it, ok, if not fix it.

 

[DPV7070]

Most of the time if you have to ask the question you already know the answer. Definitely a bummer, but if it does fail later it will pick the absolute worst time to do it, then you will kick yourself for not doing it while on the bench in the comfort of the garage.

Bret, funny you say this because early in my military career: real "boot" 2ndLt, a Captain told me, "if there is a question, there is no question." I guess I'll tear it all the way down, ughhhh, and build it back.

 

[sggoat]

echo Brain--even if you end up stripping it, the bench is the best place to fix-drill and retap; mark it "bigger bolt here"

 

[69LC]

If your 3yr old can already mess with a torque wrench, you'd better use that towards training him for the long term. Maybe you could show him how messing with your tools can make problems and have him help you fix the threads... I know, he's three. I messed up my dad's tools too.

 

[DPV7070]

If your 3yr old can already mess with a torque wrench, you'd better use that towards training him for the long term. Maybe you could show him how messing with your tools can make problems and have him help you fix the threads... I know, he's three. I messed up my dad's tools too.

After it happened he knew I was upset, "Daddy sad." Broke my heart.

It's my fault, he's out in the garage with me all the time; and, I have to admit I love it since it reminds me of hanging with my dad. He's in the "monkey see, monkey do" phase and when he saw me adjust the torque wrench and then set it down, then he went to town...

I'm looking into helicoil inserts since the bolt is a special application (it's turned down -smaller shank- to clear the counter shaft gears) and it will need to be re-used.

Probably doesn't help that he's 2 yr 9 months, 42" tall, and 40lbs. He's like a 5 yr old, but without the lessons learned.

 

[69LC]

I was an AF crew chief for 11 years. I just moved to a new AFSC. Get him to calibrate his elbow like a good German torque wrench so he knows when it's "Goot antite!"

 

[broth9640]

I wouldn't use a heli coil. Check out Time Sert. The heli coils seem less sturdy. Just my two cents.

 

[broth9640]

http://www.timesert.com/

 

[peesalot]

Fix it. Did the adapter have inserts in it ? If so you may have just spun the insert.

 

[DPV7070]

Fix it. Did the adapter have inserts in it ? If so you may have just spun the insert.

No, it's threaded aluminum, which is why I was taking it easy and not going straight to 30lb-ft.

The thing I'm not looking forward to is cleaning all the gasket material off, etc.

Good lesson learned.

Off to tear it down.

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[DPV7070]

Update:

Well I went out this morning and decided since I'm tearing it down anyways I'd see what torque value it would hold.

So I set 20lb-ft again and it still turned, but then it started snugging down. Then it held 20lb-ft consistently.

Set 25lb-ft, snugged down and held it...

Set 28lb-ft, snugged down and held it...

Set 30lb-ft, snugged down and held it...

So I started wondering. Did I just not get it all the way snugged down. It never tightend all the way down then BAM let go, it just kind of kept turning. That's what I meant when I said, "then I feel it." It just kind of kept going so I assumed it let go.

I don't know, I'm kinda on the fence on this one. If it's holding the torque value, it's good right?

 

[bsevans]

Update:

Well I went out this morning and decided since I'm tearing it down anyways I'd see what torque value it would hold.

So I set 20lb-ft again and it still turned, but then it started snugging down. Then it held 20lb-ft consistently.

Set 25lb-ft, snugged down and held it...

Set 28lb-ft, snugged down and held it...

Set 30lb-ft, snugged down and held it...

So I started wondering. Did I just not get it all the way snugged down. It never tightend all the way down then BAM let go, it just kind of kept turning. That's what I meant when I said, "then I feel it." It just kind of kept going so I assumed it let go.

I don't know, I'm kinda on the fence on this one. If it's holding the torque value, it's good right?

Stop playing games with yourself. Gosh, is it going to hold, did time present a magical fix. Dude, give me a break. Pull the suspect bolt out and see if there are aluminum particles from a stripped (partial or otherwise) housing. Why have you not pulled the bolt out. Are you afraid of what you'll see. You may have reached the torque spec with interference from the stripped threads. You, in my opinion, are being foolish about your approach. If there is an issue, then now is the time to fix it. The title to your thread indicates a negative approach to the opportunities presented to you in life.

 

[cruiserjunkie]

Hexicoil isn't that much work and adds strength to aluminum threads. I agree pull the bolt find out what is going on. Its either no issue or needs repaired. Be sure and do it once and never worry about it again

 

[Chris Wilcox]

One thing is stronger than the other. Either the aluminum threads started to strip or you were feeling the bolt permanently stretch. At something like 1.5 to 2 diameters of thread length the aluminum is stronger than the bolt. I would say pull the one bolt out and inspect and then devise a plan. Your options if damaged are 1) new bolt, 2) Helicoil, either the custom long ones or read up on how to install two 1D length helicoils into the hole. You may have to trim a bit off the second one but typically 1D worth of thread length in aluminumis not enough. 3) Even better is timesert as already mentioned.
If it is holding then it may be fine but if you felt it something has happened. You are obviously skilled enough to recognize the difference, not everybody is. So follow through and ensure the part is correct. Chock it up to 'kids' which I have 3 of and understand.

 

[DPV7070]

Bsevans, dude chill please. The title is a pun. Negative approach to life? Are you my life coach? I doubt the Marine Corps would let me pilot a $100 million dollar airplane if that was the case. I do appreciate the fact that I realized I didn't pull the bolt out, so thanks for that.

Long story short, I did pull the bolt out and there's nothing to indicate I stripped it. All is well.

Thanks to everyone for the help.

 

[cruiserjunkie]

Glad the finale wasn't dramatic. Nice to have an easy win every now and again