Bolt torque value needed

[Doc007]

The spring washer for the steering arm bolt in the picture became splayed. It was suggested that it may have been over tightened at the factory. But I can't find a torque figure for it. It's not in the build manual. Can anyone help?

[7 wonders of the world]

bin the spring washer they serve no purpose..... use a plain one making sure the bolt doesn't protrude and kiss the disc, dab of loctite on the bolt threads

[Doc007]

Interesting. Why do you say this? Any idea of torque figures?

[Drakman]

Spring washers are there to help prevent the bolt backing out.  The "cut" in the opening of the washer allows water to get past and into the cylindrical section of the upright or what ever a bolt passes through, which can cause a rusty mess and make the bolt extraction harder.  A flat washer and a bit of low strength loctite should hopefully seal it.

Thats my 2 cents, did i spend it wisely?

 

[jbcollier]

It's a Triumph based suspension and they came with a lock washers so I would use one.  That particular bolt is torqued to 22 to 27 ft/lbs.

[ScottR400D]

There's a fair bit of research does indeed question the value and effectiveness of split washers. 

This is what NASA say about them:

“The typical helical spring washer … serves as a spring while the bolt is being tightened. However, the washer is normally flat by the time the bolt is fully torqued. At this time it is equivalent to a solid flat washer, and its locking ability is nonexistent.In summary, a lockwasher of this type is useless for locking.”

[7 wonders of the world]

Aside from being useless from a locking point they can and do fracture leading the the 2 halves becoming loose and eventually falling out leaving an insecure fastener.

Schnorr or Nord lock washers or as previously mentioned plain washers and loctite.