torque bolts through nylon blocks?

[prkaye]

For AN4 bolts through those nylon blocks, should they be torqued as per usual? I find that they tend to dig into the blocks somewhat.

[terrykohler]

No. The purpose of setting to a given torque is to generate a clamping force with the fastening system (nut and bolt) by stretching the bolt. The only way this can happen is when the joined structure is pretty much inelastic. No so with a nylon block, which easily compresses under load. Tighten your structure until you start to feel some resistance from the nylon and then stop. The locking ring in the nut will keep it from backing off.
Terry

[airguy]

Similar question concerning the lead counterweights in the elevators - when I got close to spec torque, the heads were digging in to the lead weight, so I stopped there. These have Nylock nuts, so I'm really not too worried about them backing off. I did get them fairly snug, have to be pretty close to spec torque even though my wrench never "clicked". I used washers on the nut side, but not on the head.