MTFCA Forum

How tight should these nuts be? Is there recommended torque value?


1) Spring shackle nuts.

2) Nuts on bolts attaching front and rear springs to the frame.

Hand Wrench tight and cotter.

snug, get all the weight of car and body then check them, they will draw up more then, do not have to he man them they are just there to hold all in place.

Does this help? I copied it from a Dec. 31, 2007 MTFCA thread. I believe I read on the forum that they did not use torques during the Model T era. Experienced mechanics just tightened by feel. Torque charts came about years later to show how tight certain sized bolts could be safely tightened before stripping or breaking. Jim Patrick

I agree with Mike on spring shackles, but spring to frame clamps, I tighten same torque as rear axle hub nuts. And cotter everything before you test drive. Spring to frame clamps may need retorquing after test drive. jb

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 06, 2022 11:13 pm

"Tighten it until just before it breaks."

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 06, 2022 11:13 pm

"Tighten it until just before it breaks."

I usually tighten most bolts until they break and then back them off a quarter turn. Art

The spring to frame clamp nuts need to be tightened evenly in a cross pattern with the car sitting on level ground. After running a hundred miles or so, they will most likely need retightening. With old parts, caution must be used. For best results, have parts clean and springs lubricated.

Spring shackle nuts should be kept loose enough to allow movement.

Spring shackles as an assembly should be 'tight', if they bind on either the spring or perch that issue needs to be corrected in a way that permits full and tight assembly of the shackles. Shackle bolts left loose promote rapid wear of both the shackles and spring/perch bushings. jb