2010 Ford Service Literature: "One Time Use Fasteners"

[10GTPony]

On what little factory service literature I've come across for the 2010 Mustang (and I'm know this applies for models prior to 2010), they often state (paraphrasing) -- Some factory fasteners are intended for one time use only. And this seems to be a blanket statement across many pieces of factory literature -- so who knows what it applies to. Where/what are of the areas of the vehicle which would most likely contain these "one time use fasteners"? On a separate note, I sure wish I could get my hands on the OEM Factory Service Manual without paying up the nose for it (e.g., on HelmInc.com for $1K-$2K+, but it's not even available yet.)

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[Donnie's GTS]

all of the spring clamps holding your hoses on. If you ever take them off, they need to be replace with adjustable hose clamps

[10GTPony]

Makes sense.

I once read, I believe, where auto makers sometimes equip various engine parts with fasteners (bolts, in particular) that have variable tensile strength that can expand as much as a couple percent when tightened to the factory specified torque.

So removing the nut essentially dictated the necessity to replace it with a new one.

And needless to say, some of the fasteners they use are custom made, not just off the shelf bolts.

[JOHNNY]

Don,t use adjustable hose clamps on anything plastic replace with new sping clamps.If adj. clamp is over tighten the plastic will crack right under the clamp.

[FordEngineer]

There's also one-time use fasteners that hold the wheel assemblies and spindles together, as well as certain suspension parts. They need to be replaced if you take them apart. Some have built-in grease assemblies that can become depleted or contaminated if removed (causing critical failure), but more importantly, re-tightening/constant torquing back and forth to loosen/tighten certain fasteners can fatigue them, and you don't want fatigue on any part that can result in a wheel coming off.

[10GTPony]

Originally Posted by FordEngineer

There's also one-time use fasteners that hold the wheel assemblies and spindles together, as well as certain suspension parts. They need to be replaced if you take them apart. Some have built-in grease assemblies that can become depleted or contaminated if removed (causing critical failure), but more importantly, re-tightening/constant torquing back and forth to loosen/tighten certain fasteners can fatigue them, and you don't want fatigue on any part that can result in a wheel coming off.

Sounds very plausible.

Let me put this to you FordEngineer:

Would the Strut Mounting Bolts (I'm talk about bolt studs inside the engine bay -- mounting the struts to the frame) be something that are considered one time use bolts? (My guess: no)

These bolt studs are quite 'beefy thick'.

I bring up the the Strut Mounting Bolts because I did remove them for installing a Tower Brace (not a problem there, I believe), yet could see removing them again (and again) down the road in order to do future engine work (which requires removal of the brace)?

So yea or nay in removal and replacement of these Strut Mount bolts (multiple times over the course of the vehicle's life, without replacing the bolts) and feel that I'm not compromising my suspension?

[zanypunk]

They're are cheap to manufacture so that's why ford installs them. Plus those one time fast.... aren't that cheap if you want to get them from the dealer so Ford ends up getting a couple of your bucks if you intend of doing some body work.