Rod bolts - reuse?

Paul_IN · Jan 2, 2022

Can rod bolts in a 404 engine for a 4020 be reused with
success or do they need replaced? If its best practice to
replace do you guys prefer to buy Deere bolts, A&I, other
aftermarket?

rockcreek4630 · Jan 2, 2022

Do not reuse they are torque yield bolts. I have not used anything but deere so I can't answer about aftermarket.

matthies · Jan 2, 2022

The only thing I use them for is checking the bearing clearance during assembly (plasticgauge) then to the iron bucket they go.

JD Dave · Jan 2, 2022

Why take the chance when you're in there? I would get new bolts from John Deere.

V35B · Jan 2, 2022

Dont reuse them. Order them from Deere, they come in a set of you order them that way.

chuck from neb · Jan 2, 2022

Buy new rod bolts from deere period

SVcummins · Jan 2, 2022

Some manufacturers say you can reuse the rod bolts. John Deere says to replace them

tomstractorsandtoys · Jan 3, 2022

Always replace them. Years ago dad overhauled a 4020 and back then we reused them. The farmer had a farm on both sides of a very big hill. He was going down the hill with a load of silage so the wagon was pushing the tractor some and one of the rod bolts broke. Our machine shop said there is more pressure on an engine in that situation than if he had been pulling that load up the hill.It even bent the crankshaft. Shop sent the crankshaft to a forge where they heated it and straitened it. That was 30 years ago and the tractor has been fine ever since. Tom

susandiane · Jan 3, 2022

New bolts for sure. Torque is a measure of how far you stretch a bolt/stud. Precision engine builders for competition actually measure the stretch after torqueing to be sure it's right. A rod bolt that's been in an engine forever might not have the resilience to shrink and then re-stretch when re-torqued. Tractor engines are usually overbuilt a bit, but hey--why take that big of a chance to save just a few $$? Just my $.02 (adjusted for inflation--$05).

Paul_IN · Jan 3, 2022

Thanks to everyone for sharing.

fdt860 · Jan 3, 2022

(quoted from post at 14:04:05 01/02/22) Can rod bolts in a 404 engine for a 4020 be reused with
success or do they need replaced? If its best practice to
replace do you guys prefer to buy Deere bolts, A&I, other
aftermarket?

In original 1970 vintage manual, I cannot see anywhere mention of threw away bolt. Also the tightening torque callout is fairly low. Even at this lower eating, it is best to get new bolts. But qi donot think Deere is the only place to go. Federal mogul, Reliance, maxiforce... etc
I always use new bolts.

And new bolts are absolutely mandatory if you are using the revised torsue and turn method. I have never done it on older engines that did not have it in their manual. I am wrong?

skip33652 · Jan 3, 2022

change the bolts but-- you will need to recondition big end bore of the rod if you use new torque specs

the added torque will change the size and shape of the rod

SVcummins · Jan 3, 2022

For less that a 100$ bill I wouldnt dream of it ,

fdt860 · Jan 4, 2022

(quoted from post at 19:54:15 01/03/22) change the bolts but-- you will need to recondition big end bore of the rod if you use new torque specs

the added torque will change the size and shape of the rod

Could you please explain more?

Rod bolts - reuse?

Paul_IN

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rockcreek4630

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matthies

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JD Dave

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V35B

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chuck from neb

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SVcummins

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tomstractorsandtoys

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susandiane

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Paul_IN

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fdt860

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skip33652

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SVcummins

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fdt860

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