Originally Posted by
mpetry912
exactly right. or the threads will strip
The Campagnolo single bolt posts have a heli-coil which helps a lot.
A skilled mechanic will develop a "feel" for how much torque to apply to this fastener. Following a torque spec is fine if you don't have that feel or don't know.
I use the torque wrench on stem bolts and a few other things. Otherwise I use my learned sense of how much is enough.
/markp
sadly, too many follow the steel-to-steel torque charts... which helps keep heli-coil in business.....
i throw out a lot of over-pinched stems. those tiny cast aluminum ears get bent together all too often.
seat post frame clamps too.
BMX bar clamps with stripped out threads...
shifter clamps tightened until the clamp breaks...
etc.
sigh.
my "for parts-only" bins are a roadmap of over-torques, annotated with crashes and rain.
i've learned to just pull the most used bits, and recycle the main bulk.
the derailleur bin is due for a chaff removal again.... one can only keep so many backward-shifting deore and TZ series rear ders. before it becomes crazy. The adjusters and cable pinch stuff gets salvaged.... and newish rollers/bushings. and the plastic washers on TZ hanger bolts too.