MustangFirstCar

I bought some CRC TB cleaner today because my idle has been a little rough. I plan on buying a ported and polished TB from Jerry soon, but I figured that until I had the spare cash, I might as well clean my current TB.

Well I wanted to clean it without removing it, so I just removed my CAI and sprayed it in there, wiped it out with a clean rag. Also I may or may not have been a few beers deep at the time and forgot that the TB is coated, so I used a screwdriver to push open the throttle plate (which was obviously a stupid idea, hopefully it wasn't enough to cause any problems?). So long story short, I tried to clean behind the plate and the rag came back completely black! So I want to remove my TB and clean behind it. Only problem is that I looked up what the service manual had to say and it says that the bolts need to be torqued down to 89 ft/lbs, and I don't have a torque wrench.

So basically what I'm asking is how necessary is it? Can I just tighten the bolts by hand? Or should I just leave it alone for now until I get a torque wrench? Also, any suggestions on a good torque wrench under 40 bucks?

Thanks forum

Tom V

I tightened mine using a 1/4" ratchet. Firm but not ape sh** tight. I haven't had any problems.

White05GT

Same here, cleaned mine a couple of times now. Much easier off the car.

aaquib1992

I doubt you really hurt anything by using the screwdriver, but grab a flashlight and take a closer look at the edges of the plate just to make sure.

When I clean mine I just torque them down to about 85 ft. lbs. as my TQ wrench is not that exact. Being a few foot pounds off isn't going to cause any catastrophic failures or anything, just get it pretty tight and call it a day. If you're really paranoid, check on it a few days later and make sure nothing came loose.

slipperman

89 ft/lb is enough for a lug nut. WAY too much for a throttle body stud/nut.

moosestang

This^^^ Use a 1/4 inch ratchet if you have one. It's more important to torque them evenly and don't over tighten them.

Matt's 95 Stang

I was thinking the same thing.

Like someone else said - tight, but not ape chit tight.

Matthew

MustangFirstCar

Well 89 ft/lbs is what the FSM recommends, I just wanted to make sure.

I guess I'll just try to be firm without overtightening anything. Thanks for the help everyone.

2011scgt

89in/lbs

stealth_GT

Ditto

I'd tighten them down evenly, going in a criss cross pattern. Snug but not gorilla man tight!