Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Stupid torque specs

[Batphreak]

So, when maitaining my truck I'm pretty meticulous about torqueing things properly. Some might say too much so (I have steel wheels and use a torque wrench on the lugnuts). So, the service maunal says the oil drain plug is supposed to be torqued to 60 ft-lbs, I always thought that seemed really high, but looking at the crush seal design I figured it was probably correct. So, I was doing an oil-change on the truck today, running the plug back in and put the torque wrench on it, it didn't get to the proper torque and gave a little pop that just didn't feel good. Holy Cow, at about 20ft-lbs the flange broke clean off the drain plug. Had to call Dodge and luckily they had one in stock, $8 for the plug and another $8 for the seal. Well, now I'm gun-shy of breaking another one, so I only torqued it to 40 ft-lbs, that should hold a frikkin' drain plug in, huh? Those of you that still have a factory drain plug, what do you all do, hit it with the 60 ft-lbs, or just crank it nice and tight?

 

[RustyJC]

As with the drain plugs on every car or truck I've owned, I do nothing more than snug it with a short-handled 3/8" drive ratchet. I've never had a problem doing it that way.



Rusty

 

[16919]

In my high school days i worked at valvoline. we never used a torque wrench for any thing... . long story short just use the 3/8 drive ratchet an hold it on the head turn it as tight as u can and u should be good. you are not trying to anchor anything to it, just hold in some oil... .

 

[ttbird]

That spec was changed years ago. Those flanges on our oil plugs were breaking at 60 ft-lbs. They recommended lowering the torque to what your using or even lower, like 35 ft-lbs. Been using 35 ft-lbs. for years now with no problems.

 

[WestTN]

Anything over 60 inch-pounds would likely be okay. I put in a Fumoto valve at the first change and it is still there. Didn't break!

 

[obert]

I started just "snugging" with the ratchet at the first oil change, well before I read of the flange problem. The plug seems to tighten itself like an oil filter-- I have a 3 foot cheater pipe for removal of a "snugged" plug.....



I dont really need that much cheat, heck, 8" would do. I'm sure you notice the way that plug snaps loose. I cracked my elbow on the skidplate big time using just a 3/8 breaker once, not doing that again. Overkill cheater pipe gives great controll, and no injuries!

 

[Missouri Mule]

The "plug it right" drain plug from Geno's works good for me. (Torque spec 40 ft. lb. . )

I believe the correct torque spec for oem drain plug is 40 ft. lb. .

 

[Batphreak]

Well, I'm certainly not going to crank it to 60ft-lbs anymore. I asked the dealership just yesterday about the spec for that plug and was told 60. *shrug* My arm and a 3/8 rachet got it to 35 or so, that's gunna be good enough from now on. Thanks for the insight.

 

[jeeping_0]

I agree with Obert