problem with crank main bearing locktabs

[nleader]

Dear all,

I am rebuilding a 1098 and have got stuck on the locktabs for the crank main bearing caps. As you can see from the pics on the site (link below), when I try and tighten down the bolt, they are crumpling, and rings are being gouged out by the bolt head, creating tiny bits of swarf, not good as I understand in the sump


http://www.communityfora.plus.com/mm.html

I have tried two different suppliers (though the tabs seem very similar, maybe same manufacturer?) and two differet torque wrenches (though same make).

Any ideas gratefully recieved. I'm sure I'm making an elementary mistake somewhere.

Nick Leader

[bmcecosse]

No - that's normal i'm afraid!! Sure you are using the correct torque setting ? Just use a magnet to collect the unwanted bits.

[Innovator]

I leave them out and use hardend washers instead.

I do not believe in lock tabs and never use them for the following reasons

1) For them to bend they have to be soft, having a soft washer under a fastner head is a bad idea as it will creep over time so reducing the clamping force. This is worse with a on and off load.

2) A properly torqued fastner should not require any other locking.

3) Lock tabs, lock wire etc will only stop the fastner dropping off / out and not help retain the clamping load.

John

[nleader]

ah. my mistake was to think there was a mistake, hardened washers sound a good idea.

[bmcecosse]

Mini engines have no tabs. If you are worried - clean the threads and use a spot of Loctite.

[les]

Have you tried a smear of oil under the bolt heads? Or you could use loctite threadlock

[nleader]

thank you to all, I think hardened washers and maybe locktite sounds the way to go.

Nick Leader

[les]

test

[Kevin]

test

And what sort did you have Les

[les]

A test to test if I could post the word test, and when I saw the word test in the post I knew my test tested positive!