'17 3500 4x4 differential cover bolt torque

[cricha]

2017 Ram 3500 4x4 - can anyone help me out with the proper torque for the front and rear diff cover bolts?

Much appreciated!!

 

[lpennock]

I don't have a FSM for my 18 but the FSM I have for a 06 and 08 show 30ft-lb. Can't see the 4th gen being much different.

 

[DavidC]

I don't have a FSM for my 18 but the FSM I have for a 06 and 08 show 30ft-lb. Can't see the 4th gen being much different.

Probably right, my 99 shows the same. Seem's some things do not change

 

[cricha]

front cover bolt heads are 10mm 10.9 grade, rear bolt heads are 13mm 10.9 grade.
this is why I'm asking. I would think the 30ft-lb might be ok for the rear, but seems too high for the front. I looked at some charts and values were not all the same. I'm kinda confused...

 

[Cummins12V98]

3/8” ratchet hold it by the handle mid way and apply even pressure in a crisis cross pattern. Never leak a drop.

 

[RammerJam]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/differential-cover-bolt-torque.223661/

 

[Ltngdrvr]

3/8” ratchet hold it by the handle mid way and apply even pressure in a crisis cross pattern. Never leak a drop.

Yup, never use a torque wrench for stuff like this.
Use a ratchet as suggested above, or a box end wrench and don't kill it and it'll be fine.

 

[R.Taylor]

To torque it right you'll need one of these...

https://www.hydratight.com/en/products/sweeney-aero-products/aircraft-torque-multipliers

83,000lb/ft

Maybe not...

 

[R.Taylor]

3/8” ratchet hold it by the handle mid way and apply even pressure in a crisis cross pattern. Never leak a drop.

When torquing critical components... Always use the "Crisis Cross" pattern.

 

[Ozymandias]

front cover bolt heads are 10mm 10.9 grade, rear bolt heads are 13mm 10.9 grade.
this is why I'm asking. I would think the 30ft-lb might be ok for the rear, but seems too high for the front. I looked at some charts and values were not all the same. I'm kinda confused...

You want to say M6 bolt and M8 bolt, the head size doesn't matter in metric as it can varies on the same size bolt.

 

[JR]

Typical torque value for a 10.9 (grade 8) M6 bolt is around 8 ft lbs.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

None of the cover bolts are 6mm or 8mm...

 

[gsbrockman]

3/8” ratchet hold it by the handle mid way and apply even pressure in a crisis cross pattern. Never leak a drop.

When I owned my 2013 and 2014 3500’s.....a 1/4” ratchet held between the first and second fingers worked great.

 

[gsbrockman]

When torquing critical components... Always use the "Crisis Cross" pattern.

Well.....it’s “critical” that one tightens the cover bolts properly....or fluid will leak out......and one risks the possibility of burning up their rear end!!!!

 

[RammerJam]

When my brother owned his shop, they hated doing differential drains/refills or anything else to do with them. Especially the Fords. The bolts break on them more than any other place on the vehicle. Don't know why for sure, they just do.

When I put the 3.73 rear end in my Mustang, nearly half the differential bolts broke. I think it was the 'loctite' they used on them. If I'm not mistaken, the factory bolts have some kind of dried loctite on them and they're serious about staying in place.

Never saw a torque wrench used on one. Ever. And I've seen several of them put back together. You even mention a torque wrench and they look at you like you just insulted them.

Do these new differentials even use a gasket anymore??

BTW, 32 lbs of torque is too much, IMO.

 

[Ozymandias]

Yes reusable gasket from factory.

 

[cricha]

To torque it right you'll need one of these...

https://www.hydratight.com/en/products/sweeney-aero-products/aircraft-torque-multipliers

83,000lb/ft

Maybe not...

I only use these on lug nuts...

Got it done yesterday. wanted to use a proper torque value because I didn''t want to smash a reusable gasket tightening it down excessively. oil pan gaskets on one of my other trucks taught me that. I listed bolt head sizes because that is what was shown on the standard torque chart I was referencing. Ozie was right tho, front diff cover bolts were 10mm M6, rear diff cover bolt heads were 13mm M8.
Appreciate all the replies! Thanks guys, enjoy your weekend!

 

[JR]

None of the cover bolts are 6mm or 8mm...

On my 14 the front is M8 x 1.25.

Personally i wouldnt torque them over 20 ft lbs being they are not new.

 

[JR]

Pic is a touch blurry....

This off my front diff.

 

[Ozymandias]

Pic is a touch blurry....

This off my front diff.

View attachment 126553

Yeah, M8 with a 10mm head, quite unique - as M8 standard is in Europe 13mm head and in Japan 12mm head.