What is the process of “re-torquing” fasteners?

The process of “re-torquing” fasteners involves checking and tightening them to the specified torque after their initial installation. This is an important step in ensuring that fasteners are secured to the appropriate specifications, which helps maintain the integrity of the assembly, especially in applications subject to vibration, thermal expansion, or cyclic loading.

Re-torquing is often necessary because fasteners can experience relaxation or settling over time, which may reduce their clamping force. By re-torquing, one ensures that the fasteners hold components firmly in place, thus preventing potential failures that could result from loose connections.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately define re-torquing. Simply replacing fasteners does not address tightening them to the correct specifications, applying lubricant before installation is not related to the re-torquing process itself, and inspecting fasteners for damage does not involve the action of adjusting their torque settings. Thus, the first choice clearly aligns with the intention and practice of re-torquing fasteners in mechanical applications.