New LBJ bolt stretched and snapped on install

Not really an issue I need help with, but I thought I’d share what happened because I found it pretty odd. I’m more accustomed to old bolts snapping and breaking on removal than I am new bolts stretching and snapping on install!

I am finishing up some suspension stuff related to my lower control arms, and have a bunch of OEM parts from the dealership, Cam bolts, eccentrics, LBJs, and LBJ bolts. I was torquing the bolts on the LBJ down to spec, in a cross pattern to maintain even tightening, and the two at the rear of the LBJ seemed to reach a point where they started behave differently.. I won’t say spin because they still were requiring a lot of force to turn.

One of them finally clicked into torque, the last one kept rotating and them BOOM.



So I took the LBJ back off and used some penetrating oil and a vice grip to removed the broken bit. Was a slooooooow process, but worked.


Then I inspected things..


Here you can see from left to right, a new unused LBJ bolt, the bolt that eventually clicked into spec, and the bolt that broke. Look at the center of the stretched bolt and at how much longer it is than the unused one! The one that broke went slightly farther than that, so I was probably another turn away from two broken bolts. I inspected the threads on the knuckle, looked good, gave them another cleaning anyway.

I cleaned up two of the old LBJ bolts and used those to reinstall, all went smooth. It’s just weird, no real rhyme or reason to it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Old bolts that are seized, sure.. new bolts into clean threads? Weird.

 

You learned the hard way that there are two longer bolts that are to only be used with the ball joint cover boot thingy, as that boot has two solid spacers in it that make up that extra thread length you see sticking out in top pic.
Or you can use 4 of the regular length bolts and ditch the debris collector, or boot, and eliminate any of the assorted flavors needed

Edit: I'm guessing here, based off the pics. I guess it's possible a brand new bolt breaks before meeting a lower torque spec like that, but certainly not common.

 

So I had read about long and short bolts, but when I unpacked mine they were all the same length, so I just hopped to it. NOW.. I suppose I COULD have grabbed all 4 of the long or short bolts from the package of 8 and thought they were all the same length having only checked the 4 I grabbed.. but what are the odds lol. I compared my old bolts as well, and they too seem to all be the same length as the new ones. I can take some more pictures later when I get back out to it. Strange stuff.

 

Oh okay, I gotcha. I guess it could just be some bad luck. Anything else seem amiss? Did you install a rubber boot?

 

Yeah I kept the debris boot and reused it, and nothing seems amiss, it all went back as expected on the second go. I’ve been offering up and giving away a lot of parts for free in hopes of accruing some good truck karma, so hopefully that is the last of my bad truck luck, because I’ve got a lot more to do on this rig before it’s ready to rock(crawl) and roll!

 

He learned the hard way that torque spec is crap is what he learned.

I literally cracked an oil pan once on a GM LS2 because I attempted to do something different and follow torque spec for once. Never again, that was a stupid idea. Now I only entertain torque spec for lug nuts and critical engine internals.

 

I feel ya @12TRDTacoma

I used to never use torque wrenches, I’d always go by feel, but I never HAD torque wrenches. I bought a set about a year ago and there is something really satisfying about that “CLICK/POP” when you hit spec.. so now I use them all the time, even if for nothing other than that little hit of feel good while wrenching

 

After years of turning wrenches I kinda agree with you and go by same principle

 

Yeah man, I wasn't trying to say anything about your ability or anything, I thought it was the wrong longer bolt that did you in. But I don't think so anymore. It sounds like you have a decent amount of experience and stuff, so it is a bizarre crap luck thing, I think

 

Bolt was made on 5th of July.

 

No worries man, I didn’t take any offense or think you were on the attack Decent amount of experience, maybe.. still F it up all the time!

 

I resemble that statement...

 

I snapped a new license plate bolt off in a plastic bumper plug with a Phillips screwdriver.
My name is not Clarke Kent or Einstein but I felt Super Stupid.

 

Lol, I remember years back when I was newer to turning a wrench but I thought I was hot shiz, I was prolly 25ish. My sis needed AC belt replaced on her corolla, so I'm cranking on the tensioner tension setting bolt.... Without loosening that first bolt that sets everything once you have the belt tension.... Yeah Umm
Lol, my bad

 

I wound the steering cable backwards on boat ONCE.

 

Haha, have at it! Turning into a fun thread

 

IT'S FRIDAY

 

Torque wrench I have no idea where they are it has been years since I did anything that needed torqued

I have an idea they might be is the specialty tools box

What ever when things feel wrong stop !!

Hard to say from the picture it sure looks like it bottomed out

I wonder am I the only one that puts Never Seize on the bottom Ball joints and just snugs them with a wrench