Pro tip: I keep seeing people skip the final torque check on those new composite panel fasteners, and it's a real problem.

4 comments

4 Comments

I mean, it's not just about the fastener coming loose. Those composite panels can actually creep over time, so if you skip that final check, the whole joint might not settle right. You could end up with stress points that crack the panel itself months later. Idk, maybe it's just me but I've seen it happen.

linda1143mo ago

So what's the right torque then?

wendy13127d agoMost Upvoted

It's like so many other things in life we rush through because we want to be done, and you end up paying for it later with a bigger problem. A little extra care upfront saves a whole lot of headache down the road.

angela_harris3mo ago

Oh man, that's a really good point about the creep. You're totally right it's not just the fastener backing out. But I always heard the stress cracking comes from over-torquing on that final check, not from skipping it. You crank it down too hard trying to fix the creep and that's what sets the cracks.