NORTHWEST

DC9 MAINTENANCE MANUAL

BOLT TORQUE DATA – MAINTENANCE PRACTICES

1. General

A. To ensure security of installation and prevent overstressing of components during installation, the torque
values outlined in this section and other applicable chapters of this manual should be used during
installation and repair of components.

B. The tables of torque values listed in this section are standard torque values for the nut and bolt
combinations shown in the tables. Special torque values for specific installation instructions are given in
maintenance practices and installation instruction applicable to the various components. Torque values
and instructions for the installation of such items as lines and fittings, hose clamps, and duct clamps are
given in sections that discuss their use and installation.

2. Removal/Installation Bolts, Nuts, and Washers

NOTE: The word bolt, also includes machine screws, where applicable.

A. Install Bolts

(1) Unless use of thread lubricant or antiseize compounds is specified in the applicable maintenance
instructions, threads should be free of lubricants other than those applied by the manufacturer,
inspection dyes, identification dyes, etc. Use of lubricants will increase preloading applied to the bolt,
and foreign material on threads will reduce the amount of preload. When the use of lubricant is
specified, the torque values must be as specified in the applicable maintenance instructions (see
20–40–00 for use of antiseize lubricants).

(2) Bolts having a diameter of 1/4–inch or less which are drilled for cotter pins, should not be used with
self–locking nuts.

(3) Mechanical attachments with lockwire or cotter key provisions shall not be substituted. Replacement
bolts must have same locking feature, that is, drilled head, drilled shank, or self–locking nut. When
substituting a hex–drive bolt or lockbolt with a bolt, bolt must be installed with correct type self–locking
nut.

B. Install Nuts

(1) The type of self—locking nuts used must conform to applicable maintenance instructions. Fiber or
nylon insert self–locking nuts should not be used in area subject to high temperatures. Self–locking
nuts should not be substituted for castellated nuts secured by lockwire or cotter pins.

(2) Self–locking nuts should not be tapped or modified.

(3) When tightening castellated nuts for installation of cotter pin or safety wire, align holes by tightening
to the low range of the specified torque and continue tightening until the slot aligns with the hole. If
the slot cannot be aligned without exceeding the maximum torque value, a washer of different
thickness may be used, or a washer may be added, providing conditions outlined in Paragraph C are
not exceeded. The nut should not be backed off from the prescribed torque to align the holes.

(4) Self–locking nuts must not be used on any installed bolts that are subject to rotation in aircraft high
vibration environment.

NOTE: Castellated self–locking nuts can be used provided that nut is safetied with cotter pin.
Effectivity
CODE 1 20–16–00 Page 201
NOV 01/01
 NORTHWEST
DC9 MAINTENANCE MANUAL

C. Install Washers

(1) Use only type and number of washers for an installation as specified in applicable maintenance
instructions, except as outlined in the following instructions. Use of wrong or additional washers can
result in improper preloading of the bolts when torqued.

(2) Washers may be added under the bolt head, nut, or both, in order to install cotter pins in castellated
nuts, or to counteract accumulation of tolerances for installation of self–locking nuts. The total
number in either case should not exceed two washers. In cases where bolt length increments are
greater than 1/16–inch, the use of three washers is permissible unless installation specifies more.

(3) Where the length of a bolt will not permit installation of the correct washers as specified, a bolt of the
same type, or one increment longer or shorter, may be substituted providing the number of washers
does not exceed the specification outlined above and the nut does not bottom on the threads or shank
of the bolt.

(4) All bolts through aluminum alloy shall have a cadmium–plated or aluminum alloy washer under the
bolt head or the nut, whichever is turned during tightening. Lockwashers should not be used against
aluminum alloy without a cadmium—plated washer under the lockwasher to prevent damage to the
surface. On magnesium alloys, use S2704013 (NA51252) flat washer under the lockwasher to
prevent corrosive action between dissimilar metals.

(5) For installation of nonflush close tolerance bolts, break the edge of the hole on the head side to permit
adequate seating of the bolt. Where internal wrenching head bolts are specified, countersunk
washers must be used with the countersink radius next to the radius under the bolt head. Installation
of a standard washer or countersunk washer reversed may cause failure of the bolt head (see Figure
201).

Effectivity
CODE 1 20–16–00 Page 202
NOV 01/01
 NORTHWEST
DC9 MAINTENANCE MANUAL

3. Removal/Installation Access Door Fasteners

A. Install Doors and Plates

NOTE: Access doors, cover plates, angles, or channels which are attached by a series of bolts or screws and which
require tightening to a specified torque value should be tightened to load the part uniformly.

(1) Install all bolts or screws fingertight.

NOTE: Power tools may be used for this operation but bolts or screws should not be tightened to full torque value.
Use torque–control power tools or handtools to obtain final torque.

(2) Apply minimum torque to angle and channel fasteners by starting at center of part and working toward
end. Tighten fasteners to final torque value by using same sequence.

(3) Apply minimum torque to access doors and cover plate fasteners by tightening fasteners alternately
from side–to– side, corner–to–corner, or from end–to–end. Tighten to final torque value by using
same sequence.

Washer Installation – Close Tolerance Bolts

Effectivity
CODE 1 20–16–00 Page 203
NOV 01/01
 NORTHWEST
DC9 MAINTENANCE MANUAL

4. Use of Torque Wrenches

A. General

(1) Make certain that torque wrenches are properly calibrated and adjusted before use.

(2) When an installation requires use of a wrench adapter for tightening, compute the torque value with
the formula shown in Figure 202.

(3) Where possible, tighten nut end. Where installation requires tightening from head of bolt, use
following procedures:

(a) Bolts that can be inserted by hand (loose fit) should be tightened from head end to high value
of specified torque range.

Torque Wrench and Adapter Formula

(b) Bolts which require a driving force for installation should be tightened to torque value which is
sum of minimum value of specified range and prevailing torque before head seats.

(4) Final torque readings should be taken while nut is rotating. If maximum allowable torque is applied
without causing nut to rotate, nut should be backed off and retightened.

(5) A check of torque required to back off nut is of no value. Due to static friction, torque required to break
nut free will be much higher than torque while rotating. The only accurate torque check is to back
off nut from one–half to one full turn and retighten nut.
Effectivity
CODE 1 20–16–00 Page 204
NOV 01/01
 NORTHWEST
DC9 MAINTENANCE MANUAL

5. Inspection/Check Nut and Bolt Installation

A. Check Nuts and Bolts

(1) Check for proper length of bolt. If installation does not meet the following requirements, see
paragraph 2.C.

(2) To ensure proper gripping action on self–locking nuts, bolt should extend through locking portion of
nut. Round or chamfered end bolts should extend at least full round or chamfer through nut. Flat
end bolts or screws should extend at least 1/32–inch through nuts.

(3) Drilled hole on castellated nuts should not extend more than one–half diameter of hole above top
edge of slot.

(4) When requirements call for identification of bolts to indicate that bolts are tightened to specific torque
values, or to detect subsequent motion after tightening, the bolts or nuts may be marked as follows:

NOTE: Do not apply marking to bolts inside integral fuel tanks.

(a) Make certain that bolt or nut and adjacent area are clean and free of grease and oil.

(b) Apply stripe one–eighth inch wide extending from one–half inch on adjacent surface and up side
of nut or bolt. Red transparent marking dye or red banding lacquer may be used. Because stripe
may be used to detect movement of bolt or nut, make striping as straight as possible.

(c) When remarking bolt or nut that has been loosened and tightened, clean old marking from nut
and bolt with stripper, (Douglas No. 15) before applying torque.

(5) Self–locking nuts may be reused providing gripping power is sufficient to ensure that nut will not
loosen during operation. Nuts that can be threaded on bolt easily, indicating that self–locking feature
is below strength, should be discarded. To determine if gripping power meets minimum requirements
proceed as follows:

NOTE: Test steel nuts with steel bolts and aluminum nuts with aluminum bolts.

(a) Screw nut on bolt until three threads are exposed.

(b) Apply torque wrench and slowly unscrew nut at least one complete turn. Gripping power must
be above minimum value specified in Figure 207. Discard any self–locking nut that falls below
this value.

NOTE: Values given in Figure 207 are for unscrewing the nut from the bolt. The torque required to screw the nut
onto the bolt is not a dependable indication of gripping action.

6. Torque Value Figures

NOTE: The torque values given in Figures 203 through 207 are standard values for the bolt and nut combinations
indicated. Special torque values for specific installations are found in the installation instructions of the
maintenance practices for each component where such special values are applicable. These torque
values do not apply to brass nuts and screws. Tighten brass nuts and screws to the extent required to fully
compress the lockwasher.
Effectivity
CODE 1 20–16–00 Page 205
NOV 01/01
 NORTHWEST
DC9 MAINTENANCE MANUAL

Figure 203

Effectivity
CODE 1 20–16–00 Page 206
NOV 01/01
 NORTHWEST
DC9 MAINTENANCE MANUAL

Torque Values for 160,000 PSI Bolts

Effectivity
CODE 1 20–16–00 Page 207
NOV 01/01
 NORTHWEST
DC9 MAINTENANCE MANUAL

Effectivity
CODE 1 20–16–00 Page 208
NOV 01/01
 NORTHWEST
DC9 MAINTENANCE MANUAL

Torque Values for Self–locking Nuts

Effectivity
CODE 1 20–16–00 Page 209
NOV 01/01
 NORTHWEST
DC9 MAINTENANCE MANUAL

Torque Values for Pozidriv Phillips Steel Screws 100_ Flush Head
Figure 208

Effectivity
CODE 1 20–16–00 Page 210
NOV 01/01