Suppose I could just finger tighten them.

Something about studs pressing against bearings doesn't thrill me. I understand the purpose, but it seems if you mess something up you're screwed.

 

if the rear end cover is plastic, it might just be intended for shipping purposes , kinda like when reman engines we get from jasper have a tag on the oil pan that says do not use in service/ replace with original pan

 

So, how about just screwing them in until I feel contact then snugging the jam nuts ?

 

OK the thick aluminum cover serves a double purpose. When you put load on a rear end the applied torque is always trying to push the carrier out of the case. The bearing caps that hold the carrier in stop that from happening. Still under a heavy load you can get cap distortion and walk just like in the engine block when the differential case flexes. The thick aluminum case when bolted down serves as almost an integral part of the case itself. The load bolts in the case put a small amount of counterload on the caps but not enough to distort them. When you really throw a load on the rear the small amount of counter force in the center of the cap helps keep it stable and reduces and absorbs vibration that could snap the cap.

 

So would tightening them until I feel them touch be ok ?

And the local speed shop told my dad some crap like, one person spins a wheel while another tightens the stud and you stop once you feel slight resistance ? wtf. I'd assume if it's creating drag it'd be too tight.

 

double post.

 

Hahahahahaha!!!!!!!!You would break the rear end cover loooooooooong before you ever felt any drag. You don't want to listen to that guy. You only need a max of 10ftlbs of torque on the load stud. Thats not much torque at all. If you don't have a torque wrench that goes that low just let the bolt hit the cap and give it about 1/8 turn. Before you run the load bolts down put a real light coat of rtv on the threads of the load bolts. If you don't oil will seep out down the threads. Snug the jam nuts down to 10ftlbs. A little less than you would tighten your spark plugs.

 

If you are worried about your torque wrench being at spec, go to your local Costco tire center and ask if you can check your torque wrench on their machine. They test all of their torque wrenches every morning. Id assume other shops would do that as well, but I know Costco has a national standard for that.

 

Ok so, tighten all the cover bolts, then put the studs until they touch, then torque the jam nuts to 10 ft lbs?

Will probably order this thing soon.