rear diff cover bolts

[DAN V]

Hey guys, any of you know the torque specs for the rear diff bolts for the cover. I am changing my fluid today and have already drained it and fixin to put it back together. I have a older manual from 2002 and it states the torque specs are 35 ft lbs. I don't know if these are the same for the 2005 or not. What do you guys torque them down to?

 

[mberry]

I think 35 is too much. I would use somewhere in the 10-15ft lb range at most. Sorry I don't have the exact specs.

 

[Wingate]

seems like the factory cover/bolts are torqued to 22-25 lbs. A word of caution..... I have read on here where MANY individuals have attempted to torque them to factory spec. , only to have them break just before reaching spec.

If you are concerend about bolt breakage... . just go to your local Fastenal and purchase a higher quality set of bolts.

 

[nickleinonen]

snug... 35lbs/ft on the 5/16" screw might pop the head off like many have had happen.

 

[JApol]

Note to self, have wife order two rear diff bolts



I snapped off two rear diff bolts the last time I changed my diff fluid. I would recoment get them snug and tighten further if leaks are noticed. Both mine snapped in the 30-35 range.

 

[LRutigliano]

From the Dodge SM, the torque spec is 30 ft-lbs.



These are M8 bolts. They can strip out or break...



When I had my stock cover, I tightened mine to 25 ft-lbs in 3 stages and was very nervous...



With the PML pan, I tightened to 20 ft-lbs, also in 3 stages.



I think the trick is to tighten in stages, ie-start at 10, then 15, then 20...

 

[WhiteSheep]

Common Sense

Why would a diff cover need 30 ft lbs? Why not just skip the torque wrench and just tighten them snug by feel? I have changed many differential fluids this way and have not had any leaks.

 

[Wingate]

Why would a diff cover need 30 ft lbs? Why not just skip the torque wrench and just tighten them snug by feel?

HAHA... I used to be able to do this... but, after years of working on large Cats, it seems that my version of "snug" breaks automotive quality fasteners.

It seems that every time I work on something around the house I end up walking out to my service truck to get some Cat bolts and a drill and drill bits. #@$%!

As for the rear diff. cover. I never attempted to reinstall the factory ones. They both came off at 15K and were replaced with Mag-Hytec's... that came with a higher quality fastener.

 

[WhiteSheep]

I guess wrestling with lions would beef you up :-laf

I don't want you torquing my stuff.