Snapped IM Bolt doing LT2 Install

Briland_1LE · 07-31-2022, 05:05 PM

I’m really pissed off. I just snapped the intake manifold bolt using a husky torque wrench set to 30 in-lb. I’m really confused how this is possible considering that the spec is 89in-lb. This is my first time using a torque wrench but I generally know how to use them i set it to the torque spec and twist. I never heard the wrench click and its so below the required spec How does this happen??

2SS Capt · 07-31-2022, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briland_1LE

I’m really pissed off. I just snapped the intake manifold bolt using a husky torque wrench set to 30 in-lb. I’m really confused how this is possible considering that the spec is 89in-lb. This is my first time using a torque wrench but I generally know how to use them i set it to the torque spec and twist. I never heard the wrench click and its so below the required spec How does this happen??

Might be a silly question but are you sure that wrench is in inch/pounds vs. foot pounds?

Briland_1LE · 07-31-2022, 05:13 PM

1000% I specifically bought a small torque wrench in in-lb. I’m wondering if its a dud because no matter how hard I turn it won’t click to stop the torquing. And 30in-lb is really light shouldnt I be able to turn that grabbing the wrench extension with my hand?

2SS Capt · 07-31-2022, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briland_1LE

1000% I specifically bought a small torque wrench in in-lb. I’m wondering if its a dud because no matter how hard I turn it won’t click to stop the torquing. And 30in-lb is really light shouldnt I be able to turn that grabbing the wrench extension with my hand?

Sounds like you got a bad wrench then...

Briland_1LE · 07-31-2022, 05:51 PM

This is nuts

arpad_m · 07-31-2022, 06:29 PM

Since we don't know if the wrench is correct and even 89 in-lb isn't a lot of torque, let alone 30, did you feel any difficulty before the bolt snapped? If yes, you were definitely not at 30 in-lb.

Scottyz · 07-31-2022, 06:47 PM

I’m a mechanic. I had the same thing happen with a new torque wrench. I installed my balancer bolt to torque it and felt the threads starting to give. Pulled the bolt out and sure enough the new bolt was wrecked. It happens.

dpevans · 07-31-2022, 08:18 PM

Sounds like you had a bad bolt, it happens. I had to get 4 rotor screws out today but life is still good cause I was putting on the track rotors and pads for track day tomorrow.

Briland_1LE · 07-31-2022, 08:52 PM

I know for a fact the torque wrench was set to 30in-lb. It’s a simple husky wrench with the twist handle. Something HAS to be wrong with the wrench I can’t even get it to give at 30in-lb and I work out. I knew in my gut it felt like way too much force but I just bought it yesterday so I decided to trust it and sure enough…

Briland_1LE · 07-31-2022, 08:57 PM

I shaved and wrapped the C8 manifold in a gold heat reflecting material.

HDRDTD · 07-31-2022, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briland_1LE

I know for a fact the torque wrench was set to 30in-lb. It’s a simple husky wrench with the twist handle. Something HAS to be wrong with the wrench I can’t even get it to give at 30in-lb and I work out. I knew in my gut it felt like way too much force but I just bought it yesterday, so I decided to trust it and sure enough…

I went through a similar situation a few years ago when I changed the strut brace on my 2013 ZL1. The bolts are supposed to be torqued to 16 ft-lbs.

I went out and bought a twist-handle style torque wrench, but when I went to torque the bolts, I could tell I was pulling much harder than it should take and the wrench wouldn't click.

I finally bought and old style torque beam style torque wrench and it worked like a champ. You could watch the beam on the wrench deflect as you applied torque and watch it approach the 16ft-lbs mark.

auto_god · 08-01-2022, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briland_1LE

I’m really pissed off. I just snapped the intake manifold bolt using a husky torque wrench set to 30 in-lb. I’m really confused how this is possible considering that the spec is 89in-lb. This is my first time using a torque wrench but I generally know how to use them i set it to the torque spec and twist. I never heard the wrench click and its so below the required spec How does this happen??

Most 1/4" drive torque wrenches I use at work don't make a click that is audible in most situations, you have to be paying attention to feel the click in the handle. It wouldn't be difficult at all to miss that click feeling in the handle and keep on cranking.

Try the wrench on something else that isn't going to break & get a feel for it.

ctrlz · 08-01-2022, 06:33 AM

First time using a torque wrench and you snapped a bolt. I think others have covered the possibilities.

This thread isn't covered in tears, so I assume it snapped in a way it was easy to back out the broken bolt?

6spdhyperblue · 08-01-2022, 07:02 AM

Those cheap torque wrenches barely work at this torque spec
Use the two finger method on a short 1/4 drive ratchet. Once you feel it seat, stop.

I’ve tried using the 89in lbs with a torque wrench since the LS days and ran into problems with threads and such, since using my fingers I no longer had issues.

07-31-2022, 05:05 PM	#1
Briland_1LE Drives: 2020 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Miami Posts: 229	Snapped IM Bolt doing LT2 Install I’m really pissed off. I just snapped the intake manifold bolt using a husky torque wrench set to 30 in-lb. I’m really confused how this is possible considering that the spec is 89in-lb. This is my first time using a torque wrench but I generally know how to use them i set it to the torque spec and twist. I never heard the wrench click and its so below the required spec How does this happen??

07-31-2022, 06:29 PM	#6
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 13,301 View My Garage	Since we don't know if the wrench is correct and even 89 in-lb isn't a lot of torque, let alone 30, did you feel any difficulty before the bolt snapped? If yes, you were definitely not at 30 in-lb. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle Terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

07-31-2022, 08:57 PM	#10
Briland_1LE Drives: 2020 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Miami Posts: 229	I shaved and wrapped the C8 manifold in a gold heat reflecting material. Attached Images

08-01-2022, 07:02 AM	#14
6spdhyperblue Drives: 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: US Posts: 3,791	Those cheap torque wrenches barely work at this torque spec Use the two finger method on a short 1/4 drive ratchet. Once you feel it seat, stop. I’ve tried using the 89in lbs with a torque wrench since the LS days and ran into problems with threads and such, since using my fingers I no longer had issues. __________________

07-31-2022, 05:13 PM	#3
Briland_1LE Drives: 2020 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Miami Posts: 229	1000% I specifically bought a small torque wrench in in-lb. I’m wondering if its a dud because no matter how hard I turn it won’t click to stop the torquing. And 30in-lb is really light shouldnt I be able to turn that grabbing the wrench extension with my hand?

07-31-2022, 05:51 PM	#5
Briland_1LE Drives: 2020 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Miami Posts: 229	This is nuts

07-31-2022, 06:47 PM	#7
Scottyz 2019 ZL1 1LE MY GOON Drives: 1980 Z28 Big Red. Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Stoney Creek Posts: 2,061	I’m a mechanic. I had the same thing happen with a new torque wrench. I installed my balancer bolt to torque it and felt the threads starting to give. Pulled the bolt out and sure enough the new bolt was wrecked. It happens.

07-31-2022, 08:18 PM	#8
dpevans Drives: 2024 Riverside Blue 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,366	Sounds like you had a bad bolt, it happens. I had to get 4 rotor screws out today but life is still good cause I was putting on the track rotors and pads for track day tomorrow.

07-31-2022, 08:52 PM	#9
Briland_1LE Drives: 2020 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Miami Posts: 229	I know for a fact the torque wrench was set to 30in-lb. It’s a simple husky wrench with the twist handle. Something HAS to be wrong with the wrench I can’t even get it to give at 30in-lb and I work out. I knew in my gut it felt like way too much force but I just bought it yesterday so I decided to trust it and sure enough…

08-01-2022, 06:33 AM	#13
ctrlz Drives: 2017 2SS, 50th pkg, M6, MRC, NPP Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Ocean City, NJ Posts: 3,568	First time using a torque wrench and you snapped a bolt. I think others have covered the possibilities. This thread isn't covered in tears, so I assume it snapped in a way it was easy to back out the broken bolt?

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