HOw tight

[captpar]

I had a water leak when raining from a light fixture next to the top front A/C unit. I remember reading here that the 4 bolts under the vent outlet needs to be tightened. I took the cover off and the bolts were so loose that I could spin them with my fingers. I got my 3/8 socket and snugged them all down. I didn't want to over tightned. How tight to tighten?

[captpar]

I had a water leak when raining from a light fixture next to the top front A/C unit. I remember reading here that the 4 bolts under the vent outlet needs to be tightened. I took the cover off and the bolts were so loose that I could spin them with my fingers. I got my 3/8 socket and snugged them all down. I didn't want to over tightned. How tight to tighten?

[JerryForwood]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Seth D. Winick:
tight them snug with your wrench not to tight normal tight </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Could you list the foot Lbs. difference between Normal tight and too tight? LOL

[wilanddij]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Could you list the foot Lbs. difference between Normal tight and too tight? LOL </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Usually, its a tad more than a scoosh

[JerryForwood]

Thanks for the clarification!
Merry Christmas to all!

[Tom N]

Seth's post is perfect clear for us that are torque wrench deficient.

-Tom

[Norm Payne]

Actually, I would not use a torque wrench on them. Just tighten until they strip, then back off one-quater turn. If the bolt heads snap off while tightening you know you got it plenty tight.

OK, here is a better answer. The gasket between the air conditioner and roof is rubber. Tighten the bolts until the gasket start to compress and leave it there. The gasket will shrink over time so once a year tighten it a bit more, like 1/2 turn a year. After 5-7 years replace the gasket. If you tighten it too much now it will need replacing in one or two years.

[J Walker]

The truth is there are some dedicated souls that carry torque wrenches around with them but not many. I have a torque wrench but seldom bother to go and get it when doing a job. Here is what I do when tightening. I look at the diameter of the bolt and anything 1/4" or less requires some care. On the smaller ones I never hold the socket wrench by the end so as to limit the torque. You should be using only about ten pounds of force.