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Old 05-05-2005, 01:11 PM
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G-Benz G-Benz is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Dallas/Fort-Worth
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ammdc7
The repair manual indicates that as long as they are in spec (basically a certain length when out of the head) They are fine and can be used again. I did not replace mine as i followed the MB manual and they were within spec.

Did I do wrong?
The bolt length being within spec refers to the "stretch" limits. Basically, if the bolts haven't reached their "stretch" limits, they are within spec and can be reused.

Typically, if they have been torqued, they will stretch, which is why they are generally a one-time use item...which is also why you can't solve a leaky head just by tightening down the bolts...that won't seal the head, just stretch the bolts even more.

My personal experience is that head bolts are a one-time use item (and not just MB), so I always use new bolts when performing head work...a cheap investment considering what else is at stake.
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