Had the front cyl exhaust come loose today after about 2k miles. I torqued to spec of 120 in/lbs (10 ft/lbs). Should I have put locktite on those studs?

 

I would never locktite exhaust studs, just neversieze them. Retighten them and ride

 

In a word - no. My manual actually says torque to 60-80 in/lbs.

 

Anti seize! Torque to spec. Check every oil change.

 

mine says 100-120 in/lbs

didn't make it to the next oil change.

 

Have never used loctite on the exhaust nuts. Just tighten them firmly and they will stay in place.

 

Anti-Seize and torqued by a properly working torque wrench. they can go out of calibration.

my fleet mechanic has his snap on guy check his snap on torque wrenches for calibration every 3-4 months. it had to be sent out for recalibration once or twice in the past few years. I've never had mine professionally checked, but then again i have 4 different sizes and they have never been left under load (always spun down as low as it goes after use so theres no tension on the spring, otherwise the spring will be stressed and your values will change), they also don't get too much use, are kept in the case, and have never been dropped. if yours have been subject to any of the those mentioned things its probably out of calibration.


heres an intersting video about calibrating a torque wrenches yourself using a calibration testing tool and adjusting the torque wrench. its pretty interesting info from 1:50- 2:30, at 3:25 you can see his is 10 lb off! some more interesting info at 6:25-6:50. i stopped watching there, but it seems like a pretty cool video. theres other complete do it your self videos with out using a calibration tool, but i dont think i would fully trust those methods.

 

If they come loose again, use a lock washer.

 

Unfortunately vibration will loosen anything up. But loc-tite on exhaust bolts is always a no-no. Anti-seize is your friend.

 

I use anti-size and lock washers, and check them every other week or so (mine are very easy to get to so it only takes about a minute to check them all). Never had one come off, and it's rare for one to even come even just slightly loose (I give credit to the lock washers for that)

I would highly advise against using loctite on them