A/C Bolt Torque Specs?

[OR_Brewer]

I recently took the mounting plate (??) off of my A/C on the inside of the trailer in order to do some re-taping up in there to improve airflow/performance (it was absolutely terrible in there before).

The 4 bolts that held this plate on (and, I believe the A/C to the roof as well) seemed pretty loose when I undid them.

I've got it all put back together now and snugged the bolts down but don't really know what the proper torque should be. I found someone mention something like 3-4 ft/lbs on another post but I'm not sure they were referring to the same thing.

Anyway, I don't have a torque wrench that'll go that low but will buy one if necessary. Just wondering if snug is good enough or if I should be concerned and torque them down to a specific ft/lb.

Thanks!

 

[Bama Rambler]

Most A/C's recommend 45 in/lb or about 4 ft/lb.

It's interesting that research shows that the average amount of torque that a normal person can apply using a screwdriver is about 4.5 Nm which is about 3½ ft/lbs. So if you use a nut driver or screwdriver with socket bits you could torque them down to about the right torque.

I just torque them down until there're good and snug all the way around and haven't had one leak yet.

 

[nomad297]

Evenly snug has always worked for me.

Bruce

 

[bob213]

I believe I watched a video on A/C noise reduction that used 24 inch pounds (2ft.lbs). But 30 to 50 in/lbs is the recommended tightness. Harbor Freight has a cheap inch lb. torque wrench that will do it.

 

[Jack350]

My Colman Mach 8 install instructions went by the compression of the seal. I think it was 1/2 compressed is the correct amount.They even had marks to guide the process.

 

[davidsr]

I usually try to get them within 1/4 turn of breaking.

 

[nomad297]

I usually try to get them within 1/4 turn of breaking.

How do you know when you reach that point?

Bruce

 

[davidsr]

How do you know when you reach that point?

Bruce

You really don’t until you’ve gone too far.

 

[Walholler]

Most auto parts stores will loan you a torque wrench, you leave a deposit and get deposit back when wrench is returned in good condition.