M38 Bell Crank Bolt Tourqe

[1stSgtUSMC]

107 was the majic number for me. I did 60 for the clamp bolt. Thanks fellas!

S/F
Kevin
_________________
Semper Fi
1stSgt USMC Active Duty
1952 M38
1966 614M Trailer

[RonD2]

Glad to hear it Kevin.

I agree Wes, there's no torque spec in the M-38 manuals for lug nuts, but the last line of the Willys SM-1002, Table U-55, Torque Specifications says lug nuts get 60-75 foot pounds. That's what I use on my M38 and I figure it's safe.
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Ron D.
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
1951 M100 Dunbar Kapple 01169903 dod 5-51

“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
--- Enzo Ferrari

[wesk]

[RonD2]

No doubt. But I think that trying to do a detailed analysis of the structural data for M38 wheel stud and nut part numbers might be mission impossible for the vast majority of average practical-minded members of this forum that rely on it for simple answers to simple questions? I know it is for me.

As much as I really like this hobby, including the challenges of sorting out fact from fiction, myth, and legend in the manuals, the interweb, and the minds of real mechanics who forgot more than I'll ever know --- researching something like that is well beyond my capability and not real high on my list. Call me lazy if you want.

Instead, how about another direct question if I may -------> are the lug nuts on your jeep torqued 92 to 101 foot-pounds? If not, what torque value are you using?

The M38 manual says "tight", and that might be good enough for the Army?

Thanks again!
_________________
Ron D.
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
1951 M100 Dunbar Kapple 01169903 dod 5-51

“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
--- Enzo Ferrari

[DJ]

Tight enough to keep them on ,but not so tight I can't get em off.
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51 M38 ,52 M38 ,53 Jeep PU ,62 M 37 ,68 M 715

[wesk]

You should always try to figure who the manuals are written for before you try to interpret their meaning. The Army TM's were published with the assumption that the technician performing the tasks would have been Army trained before he started working on the jeep. In the same tune the civvy factory manuals were written with the intent that they would be used by factory trained technicians. The only manuals written for hobbyists are those that preface their data with a forward that explains they are targeted for the owner / hobbyist. Like Chilton, Haynes, Motor and Moses Ludel manuals.

Yes, I am a very experienced technician with over 55 years wrenching on vehicles and aircraft. I still wrench on both today at the ripe old age of 73. I don't claim to have a red M on my shirt. As I type this I have worked on 3 cars this week 4 different aircraft and trust me when I say I gave up remembering every number & procedure for all the different makes and models over 20 years ago. I have always preferred to use the book, get the right answer first so I only have to do it once and when I need advice I seek it from the best source I can find.

[RonD2]

Thanks Wes. Understood. That's what I'm doing: seeking information from the best source I can find (you).

The Army TM9-8012 Operators Manual says "tighten". I believe most any soldier, including cooks, clerks, and infantrymen, were licensed to operate the M38 using that TM? I can't imagine that every time a flat tire was changed a trained mechanic followed with a torque wrench, but I could be mistaken about that.
_________________
Ron D.
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
1951 M100 Dunbar Kapple 01169903 dod 5-51

“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
--- Enzo Ferrari

[wesk]