The torque of a fuel line fitting is critical
to prevent fuel leaks in a high pressure direct injection fuel system. The
preferred method is through the use of a flare nut socket. With the use of
a flare nut socket, the torque wrench can be set to the listed torque specification.
Refer to
Fastener Tightening Specifications
.
If a crows foot is used to torque the fuel lines, then
special attention to the position of the crows foot in relation to the torque
wrench is required.
• |
If the crows foot is kept perpendicular
(90 degrees) to the torque wrench during the entire tightening procedure,
then the torque wrench can be set to the listed torque specification. Refer
to
Fastener Tightening Specifications
. |
• |
If the crows foot is positioned straight
with the torque wrench, then the torque setting needs to be corrected to compensate
for the increased leverage. |
• | If the crows foot is held at any position other than 90 degrees
or inline to the wrench, more complex corrections of the torque setting are
required, and therefore, positioning the crows foot in this manner is not
recommended. |
If it is necessary to position a crows foot in line with
the torque wrench, the procedure for adjusting the torque specification is
as follows:
- Measure the distance between the center
of the crows foot wrench end to the center of the square drive hole.
- Measure the length of the torque wrench
from the center of the square drive to the center of the handle.
- Divide the measurement of the crows foot length by the torque
wrench length. This figure is the percentage of additional torque, over the
torque wrench setting, that will be applied to the fitting.
- Subtract the results of step 3 from the number 1. This figure
is the percentage of the listed torque specification that the torque wrench
should be set to.
- Multiply the results of step 4 by the listed torque setting.
Refer to
Fastener Tightening Specifications
. This figure is the proper setting the
torque wrench should be set at when using a crows foot in line with the torque
wrench.
Example
- Crows foot measurement = 25 mm (1.0 in)
- Torque wrench measurement = 355 mm (14.0 in)
- 25 mm / 355 mm (1.0 in / 14.0 in)
= 0.07, or 7 %
- 1 - 0.07 = 0.93, or 93 %
- 0.93 x 41 N·m (30 lb ft) = 38 N·m (28 lb ft)