Date:         Tue, 17 Dec 1996 08:27:17 -0500 (EST)
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "David O. Bradshaw" <dobrshaw@warren-wilson.edu>
Subject:      Re: head cap nuts- 'torque to hold'



On Mon, 16 Dec 1996 SyncroHead@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 96-12-16 13:15:53 EST, you write:
> 
> >  as the
> >  final torque is reached, it must be held until the nut stops turning.
>  this
> >  takes time.  alot of time.  typically, a specification will be given for a
> >  'torque-to-hold' time of say 30 seconds.
> 
> Having not done this myself, "I don't get it".  Does the nut "untwist" as the
> torsion of the stud springs back?  I've never seen a nut move "by itself"
> before.
> 
> In need of enlightenment,
> Jim Davis
> 87 GL Syncro
> 88 GL Wolfsburg

Exactly, at least in my experience.  When the final torque is reached, 
the nut will continue to turn for a little bit.  For me, after I held the 
nut at final torque for a few seconds, when I let off it, it indeed 
"untwisted" a bit.  I'm still wondering what to do about it.

David Bradshaw, '85