F430 Gearbox Drain Plug Torque | FerrariChat
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F430 Gearbox Drain Plug Torque

Discussion in '360/430' started by ilappassionatodicavallino, Jul 11, 2022.

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  1. ilappassionatodicavallino

    ilappassionatodicavallino Karting

    Nov 2, 2016
    54
    Texas
    #1 ilappassionatodicavallino, Jul 11, 2022
    I have a question for any experienced Ferrari technicians on the forum. I just finished changing the gearbox oil in my 2006 F430 coupe. Everything went well until it came time to torque the drain plug. I have a high quality, professionally calibrated torque wrench. I also have four copies of the F430 Workshop Manual obtained from different sources. Each copy calls out a torque value for the gearbox oil drain plug (Ferrari PN 183962) of 75 Nm (~55.3 ft/lbs). The gearbox casing is soft aluminum and the plug appears to be brass or bronze. 75 Nm seems excessive to me and I'm really uncomfortable applying that much torque to that plug. I have torqued the plug to 38 Nm (~28 ft/lbs).

    Am I making a big mistake? Any help would be truly welcomed.
     
  2. Extreme1

    Extreme1 Formula 3

    Jun 27, 2017
    1,421
    Santa Clarita, CA
    #2 Extreme1, Jul 11, 2022
    I do all my own maintenance on my 2009 F430. There’s no way it needs to be torqued to 55 ft lbs. I’m not sure what I tightened mine to, but probably around 25 ft lbs and it’s been fine.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
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  3. Flyingbrick242

    Flyingbrick242 Formula Junior
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    Feb 26, 2017
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    Northern AZ.
    #3 Flyingbrick242, Jul 11, 2022
    Been there with the same concerns just like the OP states the spec seems excessive for the mating material.
    Curious what the Ferrari techs have to say.
     
  4. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

    Sep 15, 2004
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    Greg Calo
    #4 GCalo, Jul 11, 2022
    As a BMW mechanic stated once, just make it "German Tight"

    You certainly don't need to get to 55 ft-lbs
     
  5. colorfull

    colorfull Formula 3
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    John Napoli
    #5 colorfull, Jul 12, 2022
    As the op stated it says 75, not 55 in the manual

    I could not get mine to that level either, I seriously suspect it's documented incorrectly, they might have just carried over the oil plug value

    Anyway, don't recall what I got mine to, 50+ I think, seemed sufficiently tight and no issues after 500 miles or so.

    Also interested in a Ferrari tech report
     
  6. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

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    #6 GCalo, Jul 12, 2022
    hand tyight snug is more than enough pressure
     
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  7. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
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    Dominick
    #7 flash32, Jul 12, 2022
    When you feel the copper washer get squashed - somewhere between 30 - 40 lbs
     
  8. kenneyd

    kenneyd Formula 3

    Sep 30, 2014
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    Ken
    #8 kenneyd, Jul 13, 2022
    Be careful with Ferrari torque values.

    I found many of them are purely arbitrary, it's almost like they tighten the good and tight and then somebody went back there and said hey we got to post some values for our manuals... and they just randomly picked numbers that can or cannot generally coincide with the size of the bolt etc.

    It's important to realize that there are some critical components that require very specific torque values. But for the majority of everything else, a mechanics touch AKA good and tight is actually ideal
     
  9. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

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    #9 GCalo, Jul 13, 2022
    "a mechanics touch AKA good and tight is actually ideal"

    This is the exact point

    Use common sense
     
  10. Mario Andretti

    Mario Andretti Formula 3
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    Aug 9, 2020
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    #10 Mario Andretti, Jul 13, 2022
    I had the same issue... when I changed my oil I had to use an extension bar when I removed it.... someone did torque it to that value. Geez. I was scared I will strip the threads or crack the pan ...
     
  11. timwu12

    timwu12 Formula Junior

    Oct 31, 2014
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    #11 timwu12, Jul 13, 2022
    tight is good, tighter is not better
     
  12. RedTaxi

    RedTaxi F1 Rookie
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    #12 RedTaxi, Jul 13, 2022
    Never torqued a drain plug in 40 years of servicing my cars, family cars and friends cars. Just tight but not crazy tight. You can get a feel for when the copper washer begins to yeild. It's an odd feeling though, feels just like when the threads start to strip.
    Don't do this...
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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  13. ilappassionatodicavallino

    ilappassionatodicavallino Karting

    Nov 2, 2016
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    Texas
    #13 ilappassionatodicavallino, Jul 13, 2022
    #5, the manual calls 75 Newton-meters, which is approximately 55 foot-pounds, excessive in my opinion. Just from the feel of the thing, around 20 to 30 foot-pounds (approximately 27 to 40 Newton-meters) is about right.
     
  14. ilappassionatodicavallino

    ilappassionatodicavallino Karting

    Nov 2, 2016
    54
    Texas
    #14 ilappassionatodicavallino, Jul 14, 2022
    Many thanks to everyone who responded. RedTaxi, that is one scary picture. Aye, caramba!
     

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