Tightening torques

To ensure the safety and longevity of your vehicle, following manufacturer recommendations using a torque wrench is an essential step in every repair.

What is a tightening torque?

In automotive mechanics, tightening torque refers to the rotational force applied to a screw or nut to optimally assemble parts. Expressed in Newton-meters (N·m), it should never be left to chance.

  • Tightening torques too low and the part may loosen due to vibrations, leading to breakdowns or serious accidents.
  • Excessive tightening torque can stretch the thread, deform components (like a cylinder head) or snap the screw clean off.

In the absence of torque specifications provided by the manufacturer, it is sometimes necessary to apply the standard torque values according to the type and diameter of the bolt. The following table lists the most common reference values for ISO metric bolts, standard thread, in classes 8.8 and 10.9.

Noticed : The values are indicative. For critical assemblies (safety, engines, structures), use the manufacturer's data or the applicable ISO/UNI standard. Lubrication, nut type, engagement depth, and surface roughness strongly influence the required torque.

Bolt diameterClass 8.8 (dry)Class 10.9 (dry)
M40,30,4
M50,60,9
M611,5
M82,53,6
M104,97,2
M128,512,5
M1413,520
M162131
M182840
M204057
Expressed in m.kg.

All torque specifications for the Renault Twingo 1

Engine

ITEMTORQUE (m.kg)
Cylinder head bolts (threads and underside of head oiled) – 1st phase, according to tightening order2
Cylinder head bolts – 2nd phase, according to tightening orderAngular clamping of 90° +/- 4°
Cylinder head bolts – 3rd phase, after waiting 3 minutes, and according to tightening orderCompletely loosen all screws, then resume tightening steps 1 and 2.
Connecting rod caps3,5
Bearing caps5.5 to 6.5
Rocker arm ramp bearing screws1.5 to 2
Flywheel bolt5
Camshaft sprocket screw3
Crankshaft pulley bolt – Length 40 mm8
Crankshaft pulley bolt – Length 45 mm11
Cylinder crankcase drain plug1,2
Belt tensioner pulley bolt4,2
Belt tensioner pulley noise2
Mounting screws for the silent blocks on the frame rails6
Rear tie rod bolt on cradle9,5

ITEMTORQUE (m.kg)
Cylinder head bolts (threads and underside of head oiled) – 1st phase, according to tightening order2 then a 90° angle
Cylinder head bolts – 2nd phase, according to tightening orderCompletely loosen screws 1 and 2, then tighten to position 2 and then tighten by 200°.
Cylinder head bolts – 2nd phase, according to tightening orderCompletely loosen screws 3, 4, 5 and 6, then tighten to setting 2 and angle tighten by 200°
Cylinder head bolts – 2nd phase, according to tightening orderCompletely loosen screws 7, 8, 9 and 10, then tighten to 2 and angle tighten by 200°
Connecting rod caps1.4 then angular tightening of 39°
Bearing caps2 then angular tightening of 80°
Rocker arm ramp screws2,3
Flywheel bolt1.7 then angular tightening of 110°
lower crankcase screw1
Camshaft pulley bolt4.5 (5 from the year 2000 onwards)
Crankshaft pulley bolt2 then angular tightening at 90°
Belt tensioner pulley bolt4.2 (5 from the year 2000 onwards)
Belt tensioner pulley nut5
Mounting screws for the silent blocks on the frame rails5,5
Rear tie rod bolt on subframe9,5
Exhaust manifold mounting nut2,5
Intake manifold mounting nut1,5
Rocker cover screw1,1
Candle2.5 to 3
Oil filter housing2

ITEMTORQUE (m.kg)
Cylinder head bolts – 1st phase, according to tightening order2 +/- 0,2
Cylinder head bolts – 2nd phase, according to tightening orderAngular clamping of 230° +/- 6°
Connecting rod caps1.4 then angular tightening of 39° +/- 6°
Crankshaft bearing caps2 then angular tightening of 76° +/- 6°
Rocker arm ramps – 1st phase, according to tightening orderTighten screws 1 and 2 to 0.9
Rocker arm ramps – 2nd phase, according to tightening orderTighten screws 3 to 12 to 0.5
Rocker arm ramps – 3rd phase, according to tightening orderCompletely loosen screw 3, then tighten to 0.7 and angle tighten to 50° +/- 6°. Repeat this operation for screws 4 to 12, in order.
Oil pump0,9
Water pump0,9
Flywheel bolt1.8 then angular tightening of 110° +/- 6°
Lower crankcase screw on engine block1
Lower crankcase screw on clutch bell4
Camshaft sprocket screw3. Then, apply angular tightening of 45° +/- 6°
Crankshaft pulley bolt4. Then, apply angular tightening of 70° +/- 6°
Timing belt tensioner pulley2,4
Exhaust manifold mounting nut2,5
Intake manifold mounting screwsHand tightening, then pressing to 0.6, and final tightening to 1
Cylinder head cover screws1,2
Spark plugs3 then angular tightening at 45° +/-6°
Right engine mount fixings6,2
Securing the lower engine mount to the cradle6,2
Attaching the lower engine mount to the gearbox casing11
Mounting the left gearbox bracket to the chassis2,1
Attaching the left-hand bracket to the gearbox6,2

Clutch

ITEMTORQUE (m.kg)
Mechanism fixing screw2,5
Flywheel mounting bolts5
Gearbox on engine5

Transmission

ITEMTORQUE (m.kg)
Gearbox on engine5
Drain plug1,8
Filling/level cap0,15
Left transmission boot fixing screw2,5
5th gear crankcase screw2,5
Gearbox housing half-case assembly screws2,5
Reverse gear switch plug2,5
Difficult point in 5th grade1,9
Primary shaft nut13.5 with Loctite Frenbloc
Secondary shaft screw8 with Loctite Frenbloc

ITEMTORQUE (m.kg)
Securing the oil strainer0,9
Hydraulic distributor mounting screw0,9
lower crankcase screw0,9
Converter drive sheet metal screw2,5
Automatic transmission retaining lathe screw4
Automatic transmission support screw on elastic buffer5,5
Oil cooler screw4

ITEMTORQUE (m.kg)
Left transmission boot on gearbox2,5
Gearboxes on engine4,5
Secondary shaft screw7
Primary shaft nut19
Clutch housing on gear housing2,5
Rear cover on gear housing2,5
Drain plug2,5
Reverse light switch2,5
M6 screw of the pump1
M8 pump screw2,4
M10 pump fixing screw4,4
Hydraulic control block nut2,1
Hydraulic control block stud0,8
High-pressure hose connection1,4
Accumulator4

ITEMTORQUE (m.kg)
Transmission nut25
Left-hand gearbox boot fixing screw2,5
Wheel screws9

Direction

ITEMTORQUE (m.kg)
Screws for attaching the housing to the cradle5
Ball joints on pivot3,5
Axial ball joints on rack and pinion5
Ball joint clamping screws on tie rods2
Steering column universal joint clamping screw2,5
Steering wheel nut4
Steering column mounting screw2,5
Wheel screws9

Suspension

ITEMTORQUE (m.kg)
Shock absorber rod nut6
Pivoting strut11 (nut facing backwards)
Ball joint on wishbone7,5
Ball joint tail clamping screw on pivot6
wishbone pivot bolt on cradle11,5
universal joint nut25
Steering ball joint on pivot3,5
Cradle on a crate6,5
Wheel screws9

ITEMTORQUE (m.kg)
Upper shock absorber mounting screw1,5
Lower shock absorber mounting screw7
Shock absorber rod nut2,2
Rocket mounting screw4
Axle body fixing screws to the clevises5
Screws for fixing the brackets to the body4
Hub nut17
Wheel screws9

Braking

ITEMTORQUE (m.kg)
caliper guide pin screw10
Disc mounting screw2
Pipes on master cylinder1,3
Pipe on bracket1,5
Pipe on rear receiver cylinder1,3
Bleed screw0.4 to 0.8
Rear brake flange and spindle4
Brake booster mounting nuts2,3
Master cylinder fixing nuts1,3
Securing the hydraulic unit to the support0,8
Wheel screws9

Source : Renault documentation.