ASE A1 Engine RepairCylinder Head and Valve TrainHard

A technician is assembling a cylinder head and is preparing to install the new cylinder head bolts. The service manual specifies 'torque-to-yield' (TTY) bolts and outlines a multi-step tightening procedure involving initial torque values followed by specific angle turns (e.g., 30 Nm, then +90°, then +90°). What is the primary characteristic of TTY bolts that necessitates this specific tightening method?

  1. AThey are designed to stretch plastically during tightening for optimal clamping force.
  2. BThey provide a more accurate torque reading than conventional bolts.
  3. CThey are designed to be reused multiple times without stretching.
  4. DThey require less torque than conventional bolts for the same clamping force.
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A. They are designed to stretch plastically during tightening for optimal clamping force.

Torque-to-yield (TTY) bolts are specifically designed to be tightened beyond their elastic limit into their plastic deformation range. This stretching provides a more consistent and higher clamping force, but it also means they cannot be reused.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. TTY bolts are tightened by angle, not just torque, because torque readings become unreliable once the bolt yields. The angle ensures the desired amount of stretch.
  • C. TTY bolts are designed to stretch plastically and should never be reused, as they have lost their clamping integrity.
  • D. TTY bolts often achieve a very high clamping force, which might require a combination of torque and angle that results in a higher effective clamping force than conventional bolts, not necessarily less torque.

Torque-to-Yield (TTY) Bolts

Cylinder head bolts designed to be tightened beyond their elastic limit into their plastic deformation range, providing optimal and consistent clamping force.

  • Stretches plastically during tightening.
  • Provides consistent, high clamping force.
  • Must be replaced after one use.
  • Tightened with a specific torque-plus-angle method.

Memory trick: Yield and stretch, one-time catch.

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