Technical steering column lower pinch-bolt torque?

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Technical steering column lower pinch-bolt torque?

dante giacosa

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Going North on the A9...
Hey-

apologies if this has been covered before; I think it's a classic repair, but my research hasn't revealed the answer to this particular question-

When replacing the cabin-ventilation fan resistor-pack, and undoing the steering column lower pinch-bolt to access it; has anyone ever seen a quoted torque for refitting the bolt..?

I understand the workshop advice is to replace the bolt also; does anyone have the Part No. for that, from a former repair themselves..?

Thanks for your help

(new Panda owner coming up!)
 
It is a 10.9 spec bolt, but otherwise a simple bolt. Same as the one on the lower balljoints. Both recommended to replace each time, although that seems a bit overkill. I bought a bagful some time ago, bolts and nuts (also 10.9 grade), froma bolt supplier, so no idea of Fiat part number.

Fiat torque setting is 3.2-4.2daNm. I think that is simply 32-42Nm, but good luck trying to get a torque wrench near it. Tight with a standard 6" long spanner is fine.
 
Thank you Dave,

Thankyou 'Bill,

For both going into that detail.

I've never heard that term, referring to a bolt as a '*.* spec' bolt, before- but I see you've both used it.

I'm aware of thread-pitch, bolt size (like 'M8'), and tightening-torque. But I don't know what you mean with regard to 'spec'.
Could I ask you to expand on that?

I've got a 1/4" drive torque-wrench, although I don't have it with me, to see if it would accomodate 32-42Nm, within its range.

That's a very interesting table Dave!

If your bag-of-bolts would fit, 'Bill- could we come to an arrangement, for me to buy a single one off you?
 
Have a look here for more info on tensile strength and grading.https://www.westfieldfasteners.co.uk/Ref_Strength_Spec.html
Any decent bolt will have a number on its head, an 8.8 may have 8.8 or just 8 on it, and a 10.9 may have 10.9 or just 10. The higher grades are more expensive, so if a car manufacturer uses it, there is a reason.
Any bolt with no markings, assume made of cheese.
You'll note that stainless, even the best is almost equivalent to 'standard' 8.8, so should not be used where strength matters.
Measure your bolt and choose from here:
https://www.westfieldfasteners.co.uk/BZP-10.9_ScrewBolt_HexHd_M6_THRpart.html
Then select nuts to go with.
 
Stainless looks nice but it has a poor tensile strength compared to carbon steels. It also has no "spring" in the threads. When tight they go from free to turn to stopped dead in a very few degrees. That makes them easy to over tighten (stripping threads) and when done correctly they will often shake loose.

Stainless is often a bad idea in wet areas because its sets up galvanic corrosion on adjacent metals. Put a cheap zinc plated nut on a stainless screw and leave it out to weather. The zinc rapidly erodes and the nut goes rusty at a rate of knots.
 
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