Guys, do I really need a torque wrench for a 8Nm screw? I need to replace the camshaft cover gasket, but my torque wrench starts at 13Nm, it's such a small torque I thought about trying to feel it out. I heard of my model owners that replaced it by hand

I was thinking about setting my torque wrench to 13Nm, trying to get a feel of it and then do the same but with a bit less force :p

You don't want to apply too much pressure, but you also want to ensure the bolts are equally torqued. This is one of the two things which need to be done to prevent warping. The second thing is to tighten them in a criss-cross fashion. Tighten on mostly snug, then tighten the one opposite on the cover about the same. Go back to the original side and tighten another, etc. When you get all of the snugged down, then go back around in the same approximate order and give them a final snug.

A good rule of thumb is, if you utilize Permatex (or some other sealant), your final torque should be just enough for the sealant to start to squish out. Once there, don't tighten it anymore.

Obviously, you'd have to have enough sealant on it to be able to squish out. If you don't, you'll break bolts prior to getting the squish, so be careful.

@motosubatsu - You have answered the last two questions involving sidewall damage. You've probably noticed I've also closed the question as opinion based. That's pretty much how it's going to happen going forward. Obviously I can't stop you from answering the question, but would appreciate if you wouldn't. I'd rather you just VTC as opinion based, in line with the question I asked on Meta.

I don't realistically believe we can answer these without some sort of opinion involved.

@IanC you need to understand that torque indications get stamped in the manual because it is the most practical way to make a formally correct written manual. In reality most mechanics use the torque wrench for the real complicated things and use feeling on the other things.

@Martin - Very well said.

@Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 Hi! How are you?

I'm good :o)

@IanC Example: I know a a shadethree mechanic that fixes a central bolt just with an impact wrench by listening to the sounds of the impacts. A fully loaded bolt makes a very different sound than an unloaded. But he needs experience for that. One cannot write that in a manual. An 8Nm wrench is for people that affix stuff on 2000€ carbon bike frames..

How are things with you?

@Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 Some stress. My wife restarted work after her maternal leave. Now I have to dress and haul the kids in the morning. But it is worth it

@Martin - If she is enjoying it and everything is working out, then yes, well worth it.

Took my oldest son to a bike tour last week: We made 200m altitude, that makes me very proud

Very kewl!

Bikes pretty popular there?

I live in the mountains. We have a trail right behind the house

kewl

I knew you were in the mountains ... love the mountains myself ... we have mole hills here in Virginia

@Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 You miss them?

Absolutely

We want to restart making tours after the kids reach a certain age.. At the moment we can only go light trails. When I think back: We where were doing high alpine tours...

A while back, I lived in Georgia (our state, not the country, lol) which is mainly swamps. We left there on a trip going north and stopped at night in Tennessee somewhere. Couldn't see what was around us when we stopped at the hotel. When we got up in the morning, we realized we were in the mountains. I realized how badly I missed them.

@Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 photobucket.com/gallery/user/MeIAndMyself/media/…

photobucket.com/gallery/user/MeIAndMyself/media/…

(as long as it shows right) ... that's an awesome view.

@Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 When I get the time I will upload others. It is no big deal when you live in a place where most of the surface is covered by mountains.

@Martin - Absolutely beautiful. You're making me miss home! ;-)

@Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 I am sure you will return (if only for a holiday).

I was there about 3 or 4 years ago ... My son and I drove back down here to Virginia from Idaho. I was able to show him where I grew up at and lived as a child ... he was in awe of it all.

@Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 I was under the impression that you where from Montana? But surely an impressive long journey..

The journey took us through Montana. Idaho is on the western side of Montana.

My Dad lives in northern Idaho.

@Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 I am not sure: Was "where" now correct in that sentence?

;-)

I was quietly helping you.

where as in "here, there, and everywhere"

Where is pointing out a place

were is the past tense of "was"

Ok, got you. Thank you.

No worries.

@Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 I need some sleep now. See you

Goodnight, My Brother